Alan Pardew reacts to 'strange' Tonda Eckert footage emerging from Southampton | OneFootball

The former Saints manager has weighed in on the Serbian's interview.

Despite the Championship play-offs concluding some time ago, the footballing world is still reacting to the fallout from Spygate as news continues to flow out of Southampton.

Many expected that head coach Tonda Eckert would leave St Mary's Stadium after his involvement in the drama, but that seems far from the case after the latest developments.

Saints chairman Dragan Solak has publicly backed Eckert, stating that everyone deserves a second chance before lauding his coaching ability.

The reaction to Solak's interview has been contrasting, to say the least, and now former Southampton manager Alan Pardew has had his say on the Serbian's words.

Alan Pardew not convinced by Dragan Solak's Southampton interview

With Eckert's future hanging in the balance, it felt only a matter of time until an update from Southampton, although Solak's public interview came as a bit of a surprise.

The South Coast club had already been criticised for their statement in reaction to their expulsion from the Championship play-offs, with many saying there was a lack of accountability for what happened.

Solak's recent comments have only fuelled that, with Middlesbrough supporters reacting angrily, while many Saints fans have welcomed Eckert's backing.

Now, Pardew, who spent just over a year as Southampton manager between 2009 and 2010, has had his take on matters while speaking on talkSPORT.

"It seems like the Southampton PR machine has kicked in to keep the manager in place - that’s what it sounds like they’re trying to do," he said.

“I’m not sure they’ve convinced the British public that all is good with that. We’ve still got a possible FA charge. I think that’s got to go through. He could get banned through that, which will give them a problem: they won’t be able to keep him in that position and the owner kind of registered that.

"I thought his interview was strange. He was apologising and apologising and apologising. I don’t know, it just didn’t weigh up to me. I watched Nicola Sturgeon’s interview, and it struck me as very similar. It didn’t all ring true.”

What next for Tonda Eckert and Southampton?

While Solak has seemingly drawn a line under the Spygate drama, there is clearly a lot that could transpire this summer that could affect Eckert's position.

The 33-year-old was interviewed himself with a video going out on social media in which he apologised to Saints supporters for his actions.

However, the German is being investigated by the FA for playing an integral part in the spying offences and is likely to receive a lengthy ban for his actions.

It is uncertain how long that potential ban could be for and whether it would just be a touchline ban or a ban from working in football altogether, but the outcome would surely affect his position.

Solak evidently wants Eckert to continue as Saints head coach, and it is easy to understand why, as he took the club from relegation candidates to genuine promotion contenders in the space of five months.

In his 40 games in charge as caretaker boss and permanent head coach, he picked up a stunning 25 wins, while at just 33, he is one of the best coaching prospects in the game.