Tonda Eckert to stay as Southampton coach despite Spygate | OneFootball

Tonda Eckert will remain Southampton coach next season despite the spying scandal that led to their exclusion from the play-off final and a four-point deduction for next season.

“I think he deserves a second chance, and I am ready to give it to him,” said chairman Dragan Solak to the BBC.

The case dates back to December, when, days before Oxford versus Southampton finished 2-1, Eckert instructed a trainee analyst to observe Oxford’s training and send footage to his staff. Later in the season the same intern travelled to Middlesbrough ahead of the play-off semi-final, was discovered and fled.

Middlesbrough lodged a complaint, the EFL investigated and found Southampton had also watched Oxford and Ipswich. The Saints were removed from the final in favour of Middlesbrough, who then lost 1-0 to Hull City.

In videos posted on the club’s social channels, Eckert, a 33-year-old German, accepted responsibility and apologised to supporters and players.

He said his experience in Italy, where opponents routinely observed training sessions, influenced his actions. Eckert is the successor to Will Still.

Source: L'Équipe