How Southampton actually feel about sacking Tonda Eckert immediately | OneFootball

Tonda Eckert is facing an FA investigation as a result of the Southampton spying scandal

Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs after an independent commission found them guilty of breaching the EFL’s rules prohibiting spying on opposition teams.

The Saints had earned their place at Wembley Stadium to face Hull City in the final after beating Middlesbrough 2-1 on aggregate.

But Shea Charles’ victorious goal proved to be for nothing, with Boro now taking their place in the capital this weekend for a place in the Premier League.

Tonda Eckert has received criticism for his role in this scandal, with the written reasons for the punishment singling out the 33-year-old.

The Hampshire outfit have also been handed a four-point deduction penalty as a further consequence of spying on Middlesbrough’s pre-match training session before their first leg meeting.

Southampton also admitted to spying on Oxford United and Ipswich Town earlier in the campaign as part of the hearing process.

Tonda Eckert future update

It has been reported by the Daily Mail that Eckert’s future is in serious doubt as the fallout from their play-off expulsion continues.

The Football Association have opened an investigation into the individuals involved in the spying case, with the EFL only able to punish clubs.

This could lead to a ban from football for the 33-year-old, and it’s likely he will be dismissed from the Championship side as a consequence.

However, the club are not yet ready to make a final decision on Eckert’s future, with the Hampshire outfit willing to wait for now.

The German took charge of the first team squad last November following Will Still’s dismissal as a result of the team’s poor start to the campaign.

He was initially appointed on an interim basis, but quickly became the permanent choice after a positive run of form.

Eckert guided Southampton into the play-offs, with a 19-game unbeaten run to end the campaign proving crucial.

The Saints also earned a place in the FA Cup semi-final, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to eventual winners Manchester City.

Eckert earned a lot of credit for his work at St. Mary’s, and he was one game away from leading the team back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

However, Southampton are now four points behind everyone going into the next Championship campaign, and the manager’s future in football will surely be in question.

Tonda Eckert has a long road back to repairing his reputation

Eckert’s future at Southampton will surely only go one way, and he will be dismissed in the coming weeks.

There is no immediate need to rush, as this is a period of the year when clubs will be taking stock and going on holidays, and the World Cup will only provide further distraction.

So Southampton can afford to wait to see how the FA’s investigation progresses for now before making any firm decision on Eckert.

But it’s difficult to foresee him remaining in charge for next season, and he will have to go on a long process of rebuilding his reputation as a result of this scandal, and he may never work as a manager again.