What Southampton quietly did to prepare for a Tonda Eckert ban | OneFootball

The Football Association are set to announce their own verdict on Spygate later this week

The past few months have seen Southampton enter unchartered territory in English football due to the now-infamous Spygate scandal.

But as we now enter the first international break of the 2026/27 Championship season, it appears as though clarity will finally be provided over the long-term future of Saints boss, Tonda Eckert, who has, unsurprisingly, divided opinion due to his own involvement in the saga.

Having been relegated from the Premier League in two of the past four seasons, the eventual aim for the hierarchy at St Mary's is to return to the top-flight as soon as possible before reconsolidating their position - something which they were able to do between 2012 and 2023.

Even though the German's side have made an encouraging start to the current campaign in unprecedented circumstances, it remains to be seen whether such form can be maintained if the 33-year-old is to be hit with a major sanction from the Football Association, who are set to deliver their own verdict on the matter later this week after a drawn-out and separate investigation from that of the EFL.

However, it is fair to say that the higher-ups in Hampshire have, themselves, prepared for the worst.

Tonda Eckert was kept on as Southampton head coach despite Spygate scandal

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Spygate, of course, came to light in May's Championship play-off campaign after images surfaced of a Saints analyst recording a Middlesbrough training session in the lead-up to the first of their two semi-final clashes at the Riverside Stadium on May 9th.

Despite winning the two legs on aggregate, Southampton were then expelled from the play-off final against Hull City and hit with a four-point deduction of the start of the new season, whilst Eckert became the subject of intense criticism in the meantime.

Even though it was soon revealed that the Saints boss authorised such espionages against Boro, Oxford United and Ipswich Town, it was declared by owner, Dragan Solak, that he would not be relieved of his duties.

"I think he deserves a second chance and I would give it to him," said Solak.

Southampton have covered bases depending on FA, Tonda Eckert punishment

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Eckert, of course, admitted to such wrongdoings but claimed that in countries, such as his native Germany, such decisions were "common practice."

The FA then launched their own investigation into proceedings and the Saints boss was charged with three breaches of the governing body's rule E3.1 in relation to misconduct, but has been allowed to continue overseeing proceedings, at least in the short-term, at the start of this season.

Indeed, in a pre-season clash with Preussen Munster, Eckert was seen watching from the stands, with assistant, Ben Garner, delivering tactical information from the dugout.

With it still up in the air as to when a final decision would be made at the time, sporting director, Johannes Spors, then explained: "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. That was a bit of a training," he added.

Southampton's early-season momentum could hinge on FA decision

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Eckert has now revealed that he has given his side of the story to the FA, and now he, like everyone else, awaits the final decision, which could range from a temporary ban to an even longer sanction.

Saints CEO, Phil Parsons, recently claimed: "I really feel like we've taken enough. We've been hurt. I think it's one of the largest sanctions ever when it comes to football, or even sporting, history."

The summer uncertainty hasn't had the greatest of impacts on Southampton's on-pitch performances, though, as even though they sit 13th in the Championship at present, they are only five points behind the automatic promotion places.