Southampton owner has no intention of sacking boss Tonda Eckert over ‘Spygate’
By Press Association Sport Reporters
Southampton owner Dragan Solak has insisted he will not sack head coach Tonda Eckert over ‘Spygate’ if the decision comes down to him.
The 33-year-old German’s future has come under scrutiny after an independent disciplinary commission found the Saints guilty of observing opponents’ training sessions and that Eckert had sanctioned the subterfuge, with the club expelled from the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.
Serbian media mogul Solak admitted that Eckert had made a “mistake”, but was adamant it should not cost a “super-talented manager” his job.
Solak told BBC Sport: “I have to believe, honestly, and I believe Tonda, that he didn’t know it was the rule that he was breaking.”
He added: “My personal opinion, and the opinion of the board, is that he is a manager who deserves to be backed by us and to be supported by us.
“I think he deserves a second chance and I would give it to him. My first support would be behind him, actually, because I think he is a super-talented manager.
“I truly hope that he will learn from this experience and he will achieve an incredible career in his life.”
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Southampton were charged after Middlesbrough complained to the English Football League (EFL) that a member of Saints’ staff had been spotted filming training at the Teesside club’s Rockliffe Park base ahead of the first leg of the play-off semi-final between the sides.
The Saints subsequently won the tie 2-1 on aggregate, but days before they were due to meet Hull in the final at Wembley, they were removed from the competition and Boro reinstated, although they ultimately lost 1-0 to the Tigers.
The Football Association has since opened its own investigation into the matter.
Solak revealed that he had no knowledge of what was going on behind the scenes, and was “completely devastated” when he discovered the truth after seeing his club miss out on the chance to win promotion to the Premier League and the £200million financial boost that would have brought following an unsuccessful appeal.
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He said: “I think the punishment that the club received was severe and completely disproportionate to the mistake that we made.”
Solak later reaffirmed his support for Eckert in a message to the club’s fans posted on their official website and social media accounts.
He said: “Tonda’s period as our head coach has been a success so far. Our form during 2026 has been remarkable and we believe he is the man to take us forward.
“As a board, we are fully behind him and together, we have only one objective: we want promotion back to the Premier League.”