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Southampton owner Dragan Solak has confirmed that manager Tonda Eckert will remain in charge despite the spying scandal that led to the club’s expulsion from the Championship play-off final last month.
The Championship club was removed from the play-off final after admitting to unauthorised filming of rival teams’ training sessions, a breach of English Football League regulations.
The decision, which cost Southampton a shot at promotion and the financial rewards that come with top-flight football, saw the semi-final losers, Middlesbrough, reinstated.
The EFL said Southampton had committed “multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training.” The controversy intensified after criticism of Eckert’s role in the operation, particularly the use of an intern to conduct surveillance, an approach the EFL described as “particularly deplorable”.
Despite the backlash, Solak has thrown his support behind the 33-year-old German coach, insisting Eckert deserves another opportunity.
“I think he deserves a second chance and I would give it to him,” Solak told BBC Sport. “My full support would be behind him actually, because I think he’s a super-talented manager.”
Eckert had defended himself by claiming he was unaware the practice was prohibited in English football, saying he was “surprised” that methods commonly used in parts of mainland Europe were illegal in England.
Solak said he believed the explanation. “I believe Tonda that he didn’t know that it was the rule that he was breaking,” he said, adding that both he and the club’s board remain supportive of the manager. While he plans to seek the views of players and supporters, Solak made his position clear: “If it’s ultimately my decision, he stays.”
However, the Southampton owner revealed he has issued a firm warning to Eckert before the new season.
“I told him: ‘You almost broke my heart. You do it again, you’ll kill me,’” Solak said. He added that Eckert must return fully familiar with the EFL rulebook or risk losing his job.
The matter may not yet be over for the Southampton manager. The Football Association has opened its own investigation, and Eckert could face disciplinary action or a ban if found guilty. His position has also been complicated by admissions that Southampton conducted surveillance involving Oxford United and Ipswich Town.
Solak, however, believes the punishment already handed down is excessive. Alongside expulsion from the play-off final, Southampton were given a four-point deduction for next season.
“My support comes from a very simple legal situation where there is no double jeopardy,” Solak said. “I think we were over-sentenced. The punishment that the club received was severe and completely disproportionate to the mistake that we made.”
The Serbian businessman argued that the club had already suffered heavily, losing a chance to compete for an estimated £200 million promotion windfall. He also warned that Southampton could challenge any additional sanctions if further punishment is imposed.
