New Tonda Eckert sack demand sent to Southampton after Spygate scandal | OneFootball

FLW's Southampton fan pundit has given his verdict on the managerial situation following their expulsion from the play-offs

Southampton are still reeling from the decision for the club to be expelled from the play-offs for breaching the EFL’s rules relating to spying on opposition clubs.

Middlesbrough initially accused the Saints of filming their pre-match training session prior to the first leg of their semi-final clash earlier this month.

The Hampshire outfit drew 0-0 at the Riverside before sealing a 2-1 win after extra time in the second leg at St. Mary’s.

But Shea Charles’ winning strike proved pointless, with Kim Hellberg’s team now taking Southampton’s position in the play-off final after they were expelled from the competition.

The Championship side have also been handed a four point deduction penalty for next season, putting them on the backfoot of a potential promotion push in 2027.

It remains to be seen what the next steps will be, as the fallout continues from this dramatic scandal.

Tonda Eckert’s future is not with Southampton

It has been reported that Tonda Eckert’s position at Southampton is at serious risk as a consequence of his role in the spying scandal.

In the written reasons for the decision to expel the club from the play-offs, the 33-year-old was criticised for being heavily involved in the practice.

When asked about the managerial situation at St. Mary’s, FLW’s Southampton fan pundit Martin Sanders, of FootballMartin on YouTube, claimed that the coach’s position is now untenable.

He believes this is the most shameful incident in his time as a fan of the club, and that he will never forgive Eckert for what he has cost the team, the players and the fans.

“We’ve obviously had the full report now from the EFL, and it’s pretty damning towards him and what they were up to,” Sanders told Football League World.

“There are some fans out there that think he should stay and have another chance, and that he didn’t understand the rules.

“It’s massive naivety isn’t it? Because you’ve cost the football club a massive amount of money.

“I would say his job is untenable personally.

“As a fan that’s supported the club for 40 years, I’d say it is the lowest moment, and he’s the man at the helm.

“I think he’ll always be associated to cheating, and what’s happened this season.

“I won’t forgive him for it, personally, as a fan, and I feel properly let down by him and his coaching staff and their arrogance to think that was okay.

“Pure arrogance really, because that’s what it is, pure incompetence.

“I’ve said it all so many times.

“Really disappointed.”

Eckert took charge of Southampton in November following the sacking of Will Still, who had only arrived as head coach in the summer.

A difficult start to the campaign led to the swift change in the dugout, and the 33-year-old quickly became the permanent replacement after initially being appointed on an interim basis.

He guided the Saints from the bottom half of the table to fourth in the Championship, with a 19-game unbeaten run to end the season.

The Hampshire outfit also reached the FA Cup semi-final, beating Premier League champions Arsenal in the quarter-final.

But a narrow 2-1 loss to Manchester City ended their hopes of winning the competition.

Southampton will now be planning for another year in the second division in what could be a hectic summer behind the scenes.

Southampton have to move on from Tonda Eckert

While some sections of the fans may be willing to move past this scandal and stick with Eckert, it’s difficult to imagine that being a popular stance.

The German’s future is untenable following the club’s promotion hopes being taken from them in this manner, and for his role in that.

There are a number of managers they could hire in his place that should be able to get similarly positive results given Southampton’s resources compared to the rest of the division.

While a four point deduction is a setback, the Saints can still compete for promotion in 2027 if they can get past this Eckert incident cleanly and smartly.