What Tonda Eckert allegedly told analysts as Southampton Spygate crisis deepens | OneFootball

More shocking details regarding Spygate have emerged, including further messages from Southampton manager Tonda Eckert...

Further details have emerged regarding Tonda Eckert's role within the Southampton Spygate saga, having been kicked out of the Championship play-off final this week.

Tonda Eckert replaced Will Still and ended the campaign with one defeat in the last 26 games in all competitions. That came against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final, with the Saints flying into the play-offs in excellent form.

Unfortunately for them, they were removed this week after "Spygate 2.0". Their appeal also failed and they will play Championship football again in 2026/27. For his part, Eckert claims not to know he was breaking any rules on spying, with clubs on the continent often undertaking the practice of spying.

Ironically, Flynn Downes has praised Eckert's attention to detail previously, with the German overseeing a remarkable rise at St. Mary's since coming in back in November. There is some discussion warranted as to how big of a role spying played in their outstanding run.

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert pushed analysts to spy

Due to his part in this, Southampton boss Eckert has been tipped to be in "real trouble" and his future is in doubt at St. Mary's. Not only that, but Eckert could be banned until 2027 depending on the verdict the footballing authorities come to.

More details continue to emerge on the situation, with Eckert's WhatsApp messages leaked as part of the investigation. Now, per The Athletic on their podcast, further details have emerged as to what was said.

The following has been reported by Matt Slater, stating: "The key evidence was messages between Tonda Eckert and analysts. There appears to have been pushback from the analysts, 'I’m not sure we should be doing this, I don’t want to do this'.

"Eckert telling them to get on with it, telling them, 'I hope you come back with better stuff this time, because you didn’t come back with great stuff the previous time'."

Naturally, his future is in doubt. Should the Southampton manager depart, it could well be that Eckert ends up at Borussia Monchengladbach. It's been relayed by Sport Witness that interest has grown in the German back in the Bundesliga.

However, it's also been stated that Southampton are not yet ready to make a final decision on Eckert’s future, with the Hampshire outfit willing to wait for now.

Tonda Eckert should not continue with Southampton in 2026/27

Southampton should seriously consider dismissing Eckert for his role in the club’s latest ‘Spygate’ controversy because the consequences have been catastrophic financially. However, for both the German and the club, it has also done damage reputationally that will last for some time.

Southampton’s actions directly contributed to their expulsion from the play-offs, meaning the club have effectively missed out on a potential return to the Premier League and the enormous financial rewards that come with it. Promotion is regularly worth well over £200 million in broadcasting revenue and commercially, making it the most damaging self-inflicted episode in recent Championship history.

As the senior figure reportedly central to the operation, Eckert must ultimately take responsibility. Football clubs routinely demand accountability from players when results collapse, so the same standards should apply to the manager. He has to be the fall guy based on the latest comments emerging.

Southampton allowing him to remain in position would risk signalling that such behaviour carries no real consequence despite the scale of the damage caused. Despite how well he has done, they must part ways as the information and details continue to spill out.