Dragan Solak backed for Tonda Eckert, Southampton stance as 'win-win' situation made clear | OneFootball

The Serbian has been praised after outlining his plans for his head coach.

Just when the footballing world had cast Spygate to one side, there has been a flurry of developments involving Southampton and other clubs.

In the last couple of days, WhatsApp messages have been revealed detailing exchanges between Saints' analyst conversation with a member of staff as well as Tonda Eckert's reaction.

Then, National League club Eastleigh were dragged into the drama after reports that they could face FA action after a report outlined that they supplied the South Coasters with footage of Ipswich Town training at their facilities.

Now, Southampton chairman Dragan Solak has released a statement outlining Eckert's future, and it has received a mixed reaction from different fanbases.

Dragan Solak pleases Southampton supporters with Tonda Eckert update

After an investigation discovered that Eckert had been heavily involved in the Spygate saga, many thought the German would lose his job as his actions could have cost Saints Premier League football.

The German is likely to receive a lengthy ban for next season, although it is yet to be decided what type of ban that could be and how long he would need to serve.

Despite that impending decision, Solak has outlined his desire to give the 33-year-old another chance as he believes in his ability as a coach, giving him the benefit of the doubt in regard to spying.

When asked about his thoughts on the chairman's stance and whether he was surprised, Southampton's FLW pundit Louis Harris backed the Serbian's decision.

"I'm not surprised, I'm glad there's been some clear communication, it's probably taken a little bit longer than expected," he told Football League World.

"Solak is clearly now looking to move on and take a clear stance, just for fans to see that there's a plan in place moving forward to next season.

"I think now that the dust has settled, I'm pleased he's been backed. I think there's no doubt that Eckert is a good coach. I think obviously people will argue that with spying accusations, but there's obviously links with him moving abroad to Serie A or the Bundesliga, so he's obviously very capable.

"It's a win-win for him and the club. He's been backed publicly, and for him now, he's got next year to use that as an opportunity to maybe rebuild his reputation and look at a promotion push, which obviously will benefit the club at the same time as well.

"Overall, I'm not surprised, and I do agree with Solak. I think it's probably worth backing him now that the Spygate saga has fizzled out and emotions have calmed down. I'm happy just to see what happens in the summer now.

Can Saints mount another promotion push under Eckert?

When Eckert replaced Will Still as temporary boss in early November, Southampton sat 21st in the Championship, with relegation a greater possibility than promotion.

However, the German managed to get the South Coast outfit to play an attacking, free-flowing game, getting the best out of a host of his big names.

Saints then went 19 league games unbeaten, defeating Fulham and Arsenal in the FA Cup in that time too, before beating Middlesbrough over two legs in the play-off semi-finals.

Of course, we will never know whether Eckert's men could have gone all the way and defeated Hull City in the final, but they have all the ingredients to go again next term despite their four-point deduction.

As well as the 33-year-old's impending ban, it is likely that Southampton will lose some of their key players, as Shea Charles and Leo Scienza are among those linked with Leeds United.

If Saints can hold onto at least some of their stars, then they have every right to challenge again and could go even further and challenge for an automatic promotion spot.

Perhaps their biggest threat will come from other sides though, as West Ham, Wolves and Burnley all arrive in the second tier with strong squads, while Middlesbrough, Millwall, Birmingham City and Wrexham will be a threat.

Eckert has shown in a very short space of time how effective he can be as a head coach, and if he can carry over the momentum from the 2025/26 season, then they have got a chance.