Tonda Eckert update emerging from Germany should concern Southampton owners | OneFootball

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert has been eyed by Bundesliga and Serie A clubs as the Saints chase a Championship play-off spot

Southampton have reignited their Championship play-off hopes despite the woeful start they made to the second-tier campaign under former boss Will Still.

Still was sacked by the Saints in November, having earned just two victories in 13 league attempts, which seemed to damage the Hampshire club's chances of securing an immediate Premier League return.

However, Southampton could be promoted to the top-flight via the play-offs, and showed their class when they beat Premier League outfit Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday.

The Saints appear unlikely to overcome Arsenal in next month's quarter-final clash, but beating the likes of Wrexham and Derby County to a play-off spot is an increasingly realistic aspiration.

Southampton face potential dilemma as doubts linger over Tonda Eckert's future

Tonda Eckert steered Southampton to an unbeaten February, which included victories over Watford, Leicester City, Queens Park Rangers, and Sheffield Wednesday.

The St Mary's Stadium club then marked a strong start to March with their seemingly unlikely triumph over Fulham.

Amid his increasingly impressive exploits in the Championship, Eckert is being closely monitored by Serie A and Bundesliga clubs, which will naturally lead to doubts over his future on the South Coast.

If Southampton lose the 33-year-old's managerial services, it will reset the progress he has made since replacing Still in the St Mary's Stadium dugout.

Eckert previously seemed unable to steer the Saints to the Championship play-offs when his side suffered a six-game winless run, spanning December and early January, including a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Middlesbrough.

The German has impressively turned his side's fortunes around, and recent form suggests that they have more than enough quality to go on and book a top six spot.

Furthermore, former Southampton talisman Adam Armstrong joined Wolves in the winter transfer window, but Eckert did not let his side's results drop after that.

Sport Republic have largely struggled before Tonda Eckert appointment

Southampton owners Sport Republic have made several errors since acquiring their 80 percent controlling stake in the Saints back in January 2022, a development which was reported by BBC Sport.

The Hampshire outfit have twice been relegated from the Premier League since Sport Republic's takeover, which is far from an ideal portrayal of their ownership.

Meanwhile, former Saints boss Russell Martin failed to adapt his playing style to the demands of the top flight and was consequently sacked by owner Dragan Solak in December 2024.

Martin steered Southampton to just one Premier League win and left St Mary's when the South Coast side were staring down the barrel at an unwanted Championship return.

Somewhat remarkably, the 40-year-old's replacement, Ivan Juric, proved to be even worse for the Saints in the top flight.

Juric was appointed by Southampton in the same month that Martin was sacked, and was dismissed himself by April 2025, having lost 12 of his 14 Premier League games in charge.

Following the South Coast club's relegation, which was largely down to both Martin and his successor, Solak had to ensure that his next managerial appointment was right.

However, Still, who previously made a name for himself in France with Reims and Lens, was unable to adjust to the demands of the Championship.