EFL manager urges Southampton to sack Tonda Eckert after Spygate scandal | OneFootball

Bromley manager Andy Woodman has urged Southampton to part ways with Tonda Eckert for his role in the infamous 'Spygate' scandal back in May

Bromley manager Andy Woodman has emerged as the latest figure to condemn Southampton for allowing Tonda Eckert to retain his position in charge of the Championship promotion hopefuls after his role in last season's now-infamous 'Spygate' scandal.

The sequence of events is rather well-documented, with Eckert having sent an intern analyst to spy on play-off semi-final opponents Middlesbrough ahead of a tense first-legged affair on Teesside.

Southampton would go on to oust Kim Hellberg's side in the second-leg on home soil, though the fall-out was seismic and the Saints were soon slapped with expulsion from the final against Hull City at Wembley and a four-point deduction for the upcoming 2026/27 campaign.

Eckert is widely-reported to have played an instrumental role in the saga and has been charged by the FA, meaning he could still theoretically receive a ban of up to six months as Southampton were also found to have illegally monitored two other Championship sides under his instructions.

However, he remains in position at St Mary's and has received the public backing of Saints owner Dragan Solak throughout the summer - much to the ire of many outside of Hampshire.

Andy Woodman and Lyle Taylor slam Dragan Solak's Tonda Eckert, Southampton stance

Solak has retained his faith and backing in Eckert, yet the manner in which the German boss has been condemned means that the Saints' stance hasn't proved to be a universally-popular one.

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Though Southampton supporters quickly got over the Spygate scandal and sanctions and are relieved that Eckert has, at this moment in time, remained in charge of the promotion hopefuls, the wider footballing world see it differently and believe that he is getting off rather lightly in the eyes of the club.

Andy Woodman, who orchestrated one of the EFL's great underdog stories by guiding Bromley to the League Two title last season, is among those opposed to Eckert and the second-chance he has been given by Solak at Southampton.

It's Woodman's view that Southampton would've been better-served by "clearing the decks" and overseeing a reset instead of trying to put it right under Eckert, and the Ravens boss has admitted that he would've axed the 33-year-old had it been up to him.

"I'd have got rid of the manager," explained Woodman when speaking alongside ex-EFL stalwarts Lyle Taylor and Luke Chambers on BBC Radio 5 Live's 72+ EFL Pod.

"I know I shouldn't say that, but that's what I would've done.

"I'd have cleared the decks - that's still hanging around the manager, isn't it? What are they (the FA) going to do with him?

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Someone would've had to be the fall guy, I know it's a horrible thing to say because I'm a manager but that has got to be orchestrated by the manager and it's cost the club a chance of promotion.

"Then you've got the fanbase, I think it should've been clear and start afresh."

How Southampton feel about Tonda Eckert's FA charges

As aforementioned, Eckert is still facing the possibility of a ban. That, of course, would leave the Saints in a perilous position as the start of the new campaign looms after such staunch backing of their manager yet they remain in the dark as to what his future could look like.

Southampton would be left with no choice other than to part ways with Eckert depending on the severity and extent of a potential ban, and will be hoping that's not the case.

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Saints technical director Johannes Spors recently addressed the uncertainty, revealing that the club have discussed preparations for different scenarios as Eckert's future remains firmly in the balance.

As quoted by the Indepedent, Spors stated: "There are so many uncertainties of how this could look like.

“At the moment I’m honestly very positive, looking into the next weeks.

“There was a little bit of discussion as Tonda watched the game from above (in the stands for a pre-season friendly against Preussen-Munster). That was a bit of a training.

"We think into different scenarios but nothing too concrete at the moment. We really focus on the here and now, and if there is something we have to deal with then we will deal with it.

"In my office with the people around me, we do speak about different scenarios to be prepared, and I still hope for a positive outcome."

Southampton may relish seige mentality under Tonda Eckert

Southampton's public image and popularity have been dealt no favours whatsoever by both the scandal in question and the internal handling of it, and as many continue to hope for Eckert's comeuppance in the form of an extended ban from football, he's free to continue his duties at this moment in time and, for as long as that remains the case, his side may just relish the target they now have on their backs.

You get the impression that the events over the past few months have helped to form something of a siege mentality, with Southampton very much against the world as a hopeful second promotion bid looms large in 2026/27.

With Eckert still boasting the backing and buy-in of key powerbrokers, players and supporters alike, his popularity on this side of the south coast is a stark contrast to how he's viewed within the wider EFL landscape - but Southampton won't care one bit if he can re-work last season's magic in a more ethical fashion and take the club back to the top-flight at the second time of asking.