Friday 25 November 2016 16:26, UK
Ronald Koeman said he is "not afraid" of being booed by Southampton fans when he makes his first return to St Mary's with Everton on Sunday.
The Dutchman decided not to honour the third year of his contract and left the club for the Toffees this summer.
Asked what reception he expects to receive when the teams meet, which is live on Sky Sports, the 53-year-old said: "I don't know. I cannot change opinions, feelings of the Southampton fans.
"I hope that they will respect me.
"We had a great time and, after my career, I will look back.
"But, of course, I understand different opinions, different reactions. I'm not afraid of that.
"It's time to think about Everton. I made the choice to move and I'm really happy with what I'm doing at Everton. It's a big club with a big history."
Saints finished seventh and sixth in two seasons under Koeman, after he succeeded Mauricio Pochettino, qualifying for the Europa League both times.
Koeman added: "What happened in the past is the past and I have a good feeling about what happened the last two years but they have a new manager and that's football.
"Managers change, players change and now it's looking forward. I think that's the best thing you can do.
"I and the rest of the technical staff, we had a great time over there, but I'm the Everton manager, we play away, a difficult game.
"They need the points, we need the points, but of course it's special because the last two seasons I had a great time, the club was very successful and I was part of that and proud about my period in Southampton."
Claude Puel's side head into the clash with Everton in 11th place, five points behind their opponents.
Both are looking to bounce back from disappointing results with Southampton losing 1-0 away to Sparta Prague in the Europa League and Everton following up a 5-0 loss to Chelsea with a 1-1 draw against Swansea City.
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