Southampton manager won't be sacked

by **worcester_ccfc** » Tue Jun 02, 2026 10:07 am

Southampton owner Dragan Solak says he will not sack Tonda Eckert, despite the "mistake" the head coach - who has apologised - made when authorising a spying campaign against rival Championship clubs.

"I think he deserves a second chance and I would give it to him," the Serb businessman told BBC Sport in an exclusive interview.

"My full support would be behind him actually, because I think he's a super-talented manager."

Eckert addressed Southampton supporters on Tuesday morning in an eight-minute video published on the club's social media channels.

"For everything that has happened I want to apologise. I hold my hands up because as a head coach I am responsible," Eckert said.

"I am devastated that after six months of building that relationship [with supporters] back up, the season has come to an end, an end that couldn't have left us in a worse place than we are in right now.

"I am a young coach, I have made a mistake, and I take full responsibility."

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by **Sven** » Tue Jun 02, 2026 10:44 am

It will be interesting to see how the Saints supporters and those of rival clubs react to that news

Reading the report into what went on, I think he was bang to rights and cost the Saints the opportunity to go for the Premier League, although we’ll never know how the play-off final might have gone had they played

Personally, I find his position, with Saints at least, untenable, but I do have some appreciation of the rarity of an owner standing by his man

by **pembroke allan** » Tue Jun 02, 2026 11:04 am

He thought he was in bundersleaga where dich goings on is acceptable.... but be interesting to see away fans reaction to him knowing fans sense of humour!

by **mugsy** » Tue Jun 02, 2026 6:07 pm

Retaining a cheat sends out the wrong message - they should have sacked him straight away.

by **TopCat CCFC** » Tue Jun 02, 2026 11:18 pm

Look at the results he has delivered -

by **Wayne S** » Wed Jun 03, 2026 9:26 am

Wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a further points deduction if more spying is identified from last season.

If the FA sanction the club and manager, what is within their powers punishment wise? I assume they have no say over points deductions.

by **pembroke allan** » Wed Jun 03, 2026 1:48 pm

P&O will remain shirt sponsors get impression no ones interested in spygate or dont consider it a big deal outside of football.

by **worcester_ccfc** » Wed Jun 03, 2026 2:19 pm

Wayne S wrote:Wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a further points deduction if more spying is identified from last season.

If the FA sanction the club and manager, what is within their powers punishment wise? I assume they have no say over points deductions.

FA can't get involved in points deductions, that's part of the league's remit (EFL in this case).

But they are investigating Eckert and could ban him from English football.

by **Barryblues** » Wed Jun 03, 2026 4:30 pm

Did a great job last season, I would definitely keep him. I couldn't believe they were thrown out imo not a big deal spygate.

by **TopCat CCFC** » Wed Jun 03, 2026 10:49 pm

worcester_ccfc wrote:
Wayne S wrote:Wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a further points deduction if more spying is identified from last season.

If the FA sanction the club and manager, what is within their powers punishment wise? I assume they have no say over points deductions.

FA can't get involved in points deductions, that's part of the league's remit (EFL in this case).

But they are investigating Eckert and could ban him from English football.

If that is the case - Why did the FA not ban Marcelo Bielsa back in 2019 ???

18 February 2019

The EFL has fined Leeds United £200,000 and formally reprimanded the club following an investigation into head coach Marcelo Bielsa instructing staff to spy on opponents' training sessions.

A new rule is also set to be confirmed which prohibits teams from viewing opposition training in the 72 hours immediately prior to a fixture, unless invited to do so.

The Championship promotion chasers had been under the spotlight after Bielsa admitting to sending someone to spy on Derby.

A member of his staff was caught at the Rams' training ground ahead of their match last month, which Leeds won 2-0.

The club admitted a breach of Regulation 3.4 which states: "In all matters and transactions relating to the League, each club shall behave towards each other club and The League with the utmost good faith."

by **worcester_ccfc** » Wed Jun 03, 2026 11:19 pm

TopCat CCFC wrote:
worcester_ccfc wrote:
Wayne S wrote:Wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a further points deduction if more spying is identified from last season.

If the FA sanction the club and manager, what is within their powers punishment wise? I assume they have no say over points deductions.

FA can't get involved in points deductions, that's part of the league's remit (EFL in this case).

But they are investigating Eckert and could ban him from English football.

If that is the case - Why did the FA not ban Marcelo Bielsa back in 2019 ???

18 February 2019

The EFL has fined Leeds United £200,000 and formally reprimanded the club following an investigation into head coach Marcelo Bielsa instructing staff to spy on opponents' training sessions.

A new rule is also set to be confirmed which prohibits teams from viewing opposition training in the 72 hours immediately prior to a fixture, unless invited to do so.

The Championship promotion chasers had been under the spotlight after Bielsa admitting to sending someone to spy on Derby.

A member of his staff was caught at the Rams' training ground ahead of their match last month, which Leeds won 2-0.

The club admitted a breach of Regulation 3.4 which states: "In all matters and transactions relating to the League, each club shall behave towards each other club and The League with the utmost good faith."

The rule was different then.

There wasn't a specific rule about spying when Leeds did it. Part of the punishment that Leeds got is they had to vote in favour of the spying rule coming in.

by **Bluebina** » Thu Jun 04, 2026 2:28 pm

I suppose on the pitch, he had turned things around, and they were climbing the table towards the end of the season.

If the same happened to us and BBM had done the same, I'd let him off for sure.

Moral high ground and a season more with Bulut or Riza, no thanks :lol:

by **Starvinmarvin** » Thu Jun 04, 2026 5:05 pm

Bluebina wrote:I suppose on the pitch, he had turned things around, and they were climbing the table towards the end of the season.

If the same happened to us and BBM had done the same, I'd let him off for sure.

Moral high ground and a season more with Bulut or Riza, no thanks

If I was a Southampton fan I wouldn't want him sacked, he's done a wonderful job. Should they have sacked him? I don't know it depends how hard the FA/EFL goes after them could the FA ban him personally? Surely they didn't just spy on the three occasions