Tonda Eckert to be sacked at Southampton? Ex-CEO drops new claim | OneFootball

Tonda Eckert is under pressure after Southampton were kicked out of the Championship play-offs

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert is under pressure after his club were kicked out of the Championship play-offs when an intern analyst was caught spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.

The Disciplinary Commission also found that the Saints had spied on Oxford United and Ipswich Town in the regular campaign, and they have been handed a four-point deduction for next season.

Hull City went on to win promotion to the Premier League, beating Boro at Wembley last Saturday, after Kim Hellberg's men replaced Eckert's side in the final.

There are set to be further ramifications to the 'Spygate' saga, meaning Eckert could fear his Southampton future.

Southampton told whether to sack Tonda Eckert by former CEO

Saints players were hoping to land an immediate Premier League return, but that opportunity was taken away from them by the South Coast club's off-field actions.

According to the Southern Daily Echo, the Southampton dressing room is divided over Eckert's future, with some players furious with the situation, while others still recognise the 33-year-old's talent.

The Saints concluded the Championship campaign with an impressive 19-game unbeaten run, but their spying saga has dominated the headlines in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, speaking to Football Insider about whether Southampton should sack Eckert, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness said: "There’s been talk about texts and messages from him going all the way down to the analysts. We don’t know if those are true or whether they’re made up. If they are true, then, of course, he should be gone.

"I’m afraid it’ll be difficult for him. I know the argument that, throughout Europe, these things are accepted, but I’m afraid it is not accepted in the English game. And therefore, I’m afraid he may have to pay the penalty."

Even though their side were kicked out of the play-offs, some Southampton supporters are still behind Eckert, leaving owners Sport Republic in a tough position.

As per BBC Sport, Eckert authorised the Saints' spying exploits, which is a key factor in the decision to sack him or not.

Saints likely set for mass player exodus

The fact that many Southampton players have been left furious with their club's actions and the consequences of them surely means the St Mary's Stadium outfit are set to witness several departures this summer.

According to the Southern Daily Echo, Juan Larios and Ben Brereton Diaz are set to leave the Saints permanently, who have spent the season on loan at Real Zaragoza and Derby County, respectively.

Meanwhile, several other Southampton players will feel as though their opportunity to return to the Premier League was robbed from them, and could push for an exit.

For instance, defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who scored on his England debut when the Saints were a top-flight club, is highly unlikely to receive further Three Lions call-ups unless he joins a Premier League side.

According to German outlet Bild, Caspar Jander wants to leave Southampton following the 'Spygate' scandal, and it appears that the 23-year-old won't be alone in his St Mary's Stadium departure.

The midfielder proved himself as a highly capable operator in the Championship, and reportedly isn't willing to stick around in the second tier of English football amid interest from German clubs.