Speaking as the club announced American firm Western Union as their new shirt sponsor, the German stressed that Saturday's game with Waford is the club's immediate priority.
'When we finished last season in fourth position everybody was really happy about it - it was really a good result for a big effort,' he explained.
'We knew also there would be a qualification game, and now it is coming up. But the first challenge we have to face is playing Watford, even though everybody is thinking about the Champions League qualifiers.
'So Watford is the first target, and we have a few more days to prepare for this game.'
When pressed on how the group was feeling and how successful pre-season had been the former Borussia Dortmund boss replied: 'We are in a good shape. The players are in a good mood, the attitude in all the training sessions was really good - yes, there have been one or two little injuries and one bigger (Adam Lallana's thigh problem), but that is how life is.
'We showed it in Dublin again that we are in a good shape. So everything is in a good way - but of course now we have to deliver, and we know that, so we are ready for it.
'The freshness is coming back. We are really excited.'