Tonda Eckert faces Southampton dilemma that Will Still never had | OneFootball

Tonda Eckert and Will Still had contrasting fortunes at Southampton but the German manager now faces a dilemma Still never had...

Ultimately, Southampton's 2025/26 campaign was ultimately one of frustration despite plenty of encouragement along the way after Tonda Eckert took over from Will Still.

Following relegation from the Premier League the previous season, the Saints looked to have responded well by appointing the exciting Will Still and looked well-placed to challenge for an immediate return. That said, results were bitterly disappointing under the Belgian-born English coach.

Of course, they eventually finished fourth in the Championship table. However, they were 21st at the time of his departure in November. The season took a dramatic turn after Tonda Eckert succeeded Still in the dugout. Southampton weren't just competitive but they excelled from late-January onwards and secured a play-off place.

That was only for their promotion hopes to be ended in extraordinary circumstances following their expulsion from the play-offs as a result of the club's involvement in the second 'Spygate' scandal in recent Championship history. Unfortunately for them, with attentions now turning towards the 2026/27 season, Southampton face a significant rebuilding job.

Jay Robinson's changing fortunes at Southampton after Will Still's exit

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The squad will require careful assessment, with Eckert needing to determine which players can form part of a successful promotion push and which may need to seek opportunities elsewhere. Some of that will be out of his hands, as key players will be seeking football at a higher level after proving themselves to be above English football's second tier.

However, one of the more intriguing dilemmas concerns a talented young attacking player whose development appeared to be heading in the right direction before circumstances changed dramatically during the second half of the campaign. Jay Robinson was a regular feature in Still's Southampton outfit but seldom saw minutes after the German manager's arrival.

The winger or attacking midfielder enjoyed a prominent role during the early stages of the season under Still and scored twice and assisted once in the first 12 league games of the season. In the 14 Championship appearances after that, he started just two more games and failed to register another goal involvement.

The flashes of Robinson's creativity and technical quality showcased his ability to unlock defences in a variety of ways through direct dribbling or playmaking and it ensured he featured regularly. There was a genuine sense that Southampton had one of the Championship's most exciting young playmakers on their hands.

Yet the 19-year-old's fortunes, arguably unfairly, changed following Eckert's arrival. Opportunities became increasingly limited and Robinson gradually slipped down the pecking order. He started an FA Cup game against Doncaster Rovers but was regularly an unused substitute or out of matchday squads around that time and for the rest of the season.

While competition for places remained fierce as Leo Scienza and Finn Azaz hit form, the lack of consistent game time came at a particularly unfortunate stage of his development. Young attacking players often require regular minutes to refine their decision-making and improve their end product. Robinson has arguably seen that momentum stall over the past six to eight months.

It now leaves Southampton with an important decision to make this summer. The ideal scenario for the Saints would be Robinson forcing his way into Eckert's plans and becoming a more prominent figure next season. With Southampton remaining in the Championship, there should theoretically be more opportunities for younger players to contribute across a demanding 46-game campaign.

But it might not be that simple.

Tonda Eckert's decision in 2026/27 with Jay Robinson

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If Eckert believes Robinson is capable of playing a meaningful role, then the club would benefit from keeping one of their brightest prospects in-house. However, football development is rarely straightforward. That, combined with the fact they will want to compete for automatic promotion once again, is why he may not be at St. Mary's in 2026/27.

That's because Robinson is now approaching a stage where potential alone is no longer enough. He needs consistent football, not occasional cameos from the bench. Should Southampton be unable to guarantee those opportunities, a loan move may represent the best solution for all parties.

An ambitious League One club challenging towards the top end of the table could provide the ideal environment. Regular starts, responsibility within a competitive side, and the chance to play through mistakes would likely accelerate his development far more effectively than another season spent on the fringes.

For Eckert, this is a dilemma that Still never truly faced. Robinson was firmly part of the picture when the former manager was in charge. Now, Southampton must decide whether to reintegrate a highly-rated talent or allow him to continue his development elsewhere before it risks stagnating further.