Johannes Spors offers update on his Southampton future after Wolfsburg links | OneFootball

Johannes Spors has been linked with an exit from Southampton

Southampton sporting director Johannes Spors has claimed that there is an appeal to working in Germany amid speculation of a move to Wolfsburg.

It was reported last month that the 43-year-old is in contention to take over a similar position with the Bundesliga club.

The German has been with the Saints since February of this year, and he was an important part of their summer business following relegation, including the appointment of Will Still as manager.

Still lasted just 13 league games in charge after an underwhelming start to the campaign, but Tonda Eckert has overseen a turnaround in form since being initially appointed as his temporary replacement.

Southampton will be aiming to earn promotion back to the Premier League this season, with Eckert now officially appointed as the new permanent head coach with a contract until 2027.

Johannes Spors discusses potential Germany return

Spors has claimed that there is an appeal to potentially working in Germany again amid this speculation linking him with Wolfsburg due to family reasons as they still live there.

However, he’s eased some fears over an immediate exit by suggesting that he is quite happy working in England at the moment, as well as Italy previously with Genoa, indicating he’s possibly set to remain at St. Mary’s for the time being.

“At Vitesse, in Genoa and now in Southampton, I've been fortunate enough to be able to work with full sporting authority and short decision-making processes,” said Spors, via Sport 1.

“That has always been more important to me than geography.

“But of course, Germany is my home. My family lives in Heidelberg, and I follow the Bundesliga very closely.

“The appeal of returning is there – but I feel just as comfortable in Italy and England.

“I have three wonderful children.

“At the same time, they also benefit a lot from it: they have a stable home, travel a lot, experience other countries, languages and cultures.

“We manage to see each other often – thanks to many direct flights, digital working days or when they visit me.”

Southampton are currently ninth in the Championship table following their 3-2 win over West Brom midweek.

Eckert has now overseen six wins from his seven games in charge of the team since replacing Still in November.

He will be hoping to maintain this level of form now that he’s been appointed on a full-time basis, with his first game in charge as permanent head coach being that victory against the Baggies.

Next up for Southampton is a trip to face Norwich City on 13 December in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Johannes Spors has taken a big risk with Tonda Eckert appointment - he looks like he might be around to see it out

Spors’ decision to appoint Still didn’t work out, with the 33-year-old coach lasting just a few months in the position, so it’s a big risk to choose the inexperienced Eckert as his permanent replacement.

He joined the club in February when they were struggling in the Premier League, so this season is really the first opportunity to see what kind of impact he can have behind the scenes.

The speculation linking him with Wolfsburg has come after just 10 months at St. Mary’s, and it would be an abrupt exit if he were to go again so suddenly, and right after deciding on the manager.