5 managers Southampton FC must target if Tonda Eckert is handed lengthy ban ft ex-Wolves boss | OneFootball

Tonda Eckert is facing the prospect of a ban from football, and Southampton must have these five names on their radar just in case

Southampton are still awaiting the final outcome of the Football Association’s investigation into Tonda Eckert following the Spygate saga at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The Saints boss was charged earlier this year for his involvement in the spying scandal that led to the club being expelled from the Championship play-offs last season, despite booking their place in the final via a two-legged win over Middlesbrough.

The 33-year-old is at risk of receiving a lengthy ban from football as a consequence, which has the potential to cause a massive headache at St Mary’s.

The Hampshire outfit have stuck with Eckert up to this point, despite the Championship side also receiving a four point deduction penalty for this campaign.

However, a ban from football would necessitate a change in the dugout, at least for the length of the suspension.

Here we look at five coaches Southampton must have on their radar amid reports that the FA hearing will take place later this week to determine an outcome of the case.

Robbie Keane

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Robbie Keane is currently out of work after his departure from Hungarian side Ferencvaros at the end of last season.

The Irishman won the league title with them in 2025, as well as the Hungarian Cup in 2026, but fell short of a second OTP Bank Liga success.

The former Premier League striker also won the Israeli Premier League in 2024 with Maccabi Haifa, and has previously worked as a first-team coach in the Championship with Middlesbrough.

Keane has earned a reputation as a promising rookie coach, and could be an option to take over the club if Eckert is removed from his position as a result of a ban - a Championship job is surely one he'd consider as a free agent.

Sean Dyche

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A safe pair of hands that Southampton could turn to if Eckert is banned is Sean Dyche, who is out of work at the moment.

The 55-year-old has Premier League experience from stints with Burnley, Everton and Nottingham Forest, and he knows what it takes to be successful at a Championship level after twice guiding the Clarets to promotion.

If he can be convinced to step back down to the second tier, then he would be a solid choice to oversee the remainder of the season, but it would be a bit of a difference style-wise from Eckert.

Scott Parker

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Scott Parker has earned a reputation as a promotion specialist, bringing Bournemouth, Fulham and Burnley to the Premier League.

But the former midfielder is now out of work after leaving Burnley not long before the end of the 2025-26 season, and should be on Southampton’s radar, as he could be a natural fit at St. Mary’s.

Southampton's squad is already suited to a possession-based style that Parker prefers, and he could immediately get this squad earning results that can propel them into promotion contention.

Thomas Frank

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Thomas Frank has been out of work since his exit from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this year.

But the Dane is an accomplished coach, who has proven himself at a Championship level and has a track record of being adaptable to his surroundings.

It didn’t work out for him at Spurs, but he could do great things with this Southampton squad, if he is willing to step down to the second tier to rebuild his reputation.

Players like Tom Fellows, Finn Azaz and Leo Scienza could all thrive under Frank, who helped the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney become Premier League calibre players during his time at Brentford.

Rob Edwards

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Rob Edwards was dismissed by Wolves in June in what was a real shock decision - he oversaw their relegation from the Premier League but it looked as though he was set to be given a chance to lead their potential return.

That was taken away from him though, with Cesar Peixoto instead headhunted to replace him, and it's fair to say that the move to replace him was mixed at the time.

Edwards has a great track record at a Championship level, and would be a smart option to immediately continue Eckert’s positive work at St. Mary’s.

Anyone that steps into the head coach role will be doing so under unusual circumstances, but Edwards previously excelled after he replaced Nathan Jones at Luton Town after he left on a positive note, coincidentally moving to Southampton.