Does Southampton Spygate boss Eckert deserve a second chance?
"I hope that over time you can understand and forgive." Those were the words of Southampton manager Tonda Eckert, speaking to supporters in a video apology published by the club's in-house media team on Tuesday, following the Spygate scandal which led to his team being thrown ou
Those were the words of Southampton manager Tonda Eckert, speaking to supporters in a video apology published by the club's in-house media team on Tuesday, following the Spygate scandal which led to his team being thrown out of the Championship play-offs.
The 33-year-old said he took "full responsibility" for the charges Southampton admitted during the English Football League's (EFL) investigation into the club's spying practices involving three matches in the 2025-26 season.
But he also doubled down on his previous claims that spying is common practice in Germany and Italy, where he worked before joining Saints initially as Under-21s manager last summer, and insisted that "none of what has happened made any impact on sporting performance".
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport , Southampton owner Dragan Solak said his plan is to allow Eckert to remain in his job, despite the controversy and damage done to the club's reputation.
The decision may yet be taken out of Solak's hands, with the Football Association currently investigating Eckert's conduct. If he is charged and found guilty, he could be punished with a ban that prevents him from working in English football.
But if the choice remains Southampton's, should Eckert really be given a reprieve?
Since Eckert took charge following the sacking of previous manager Will Still last autumn, no team in the Championship earned more points than Southampton, who also reached the FA Cup semi-finals and only missed out on a place in the final owing to a late comeback from Manchester City.
But the argument over whether or not to keep Eckert goes far beyond his ability as a coach.
