Southampton owner Dragan Solak has confirmed that manager Tonda Eckert will not be sacked, despite the club's involvement in the Spygate controversy. The Saints were expelled from the Championship play-offs last month after admitting to spying on three clubs' training sessions, including semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.
An independent disciplinary commission found that Eckert oversaw a 'contrived and determined plan from the top down', with junior staff feeling pressured to conduct observations despite moral objections. The German coach could still face an FA ban for his role in the affair.
Solak, however, has offered his full support. 'I believe Tonda that he didn't know that it was the rule that he was breaking,' he told BBC Sport. 'My personal opinion, and the opinion of the board, is that he is a manager who deserves to be backed.'
The club's appeal against a four-point deduction for next season was rejected. In a 39-page document, Eckert expressed surprise that EFL regulations prohibited spying, a practice Solak claimed is common in Italy and Germany.
Despite his backing, Solak has warned Eckert: 'You almost broke my heart. You do it again, you'll kill me. The next time I see you in July, if you don't know the EFL book of rules by heart, you can't work for me.'
