Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has apologised for orchestrating a spying scandal that led to the club being expelled from the Championship playoff final. An independent disciplinary commission found that Southampton had “seriously violated” the integrity of the competition by observing training sessions of three opponents during the season.
In a video message released by the club, Eckert accepted “full responsibility” and apologised to the affected clubs and supporters. He cited his coaching experiences in Germany and Italy, as well as Pep Guardiola’s previous comments, as context for the spying missions. Eckert ordered analysts to observe Oxford United and Ipswich Town during the regular season, and sent an analyst to Middlesbrough on the eve of their playoff semi-final first leg.
Southampton owner Dragan Solak confirmed he will not sack Eckert, stating he wants the German head coach to lead the club into the Premier League next season. “Tonda’s period as a head coach has been a success so far,” Solak said. “We believe he is the man to take us forward.”
Eckert acknowledged the need to rebuild trust with supporters if he avoids an FA ban. “I am devastated after six months of building that relationship back up,” he said. “For everything that has happened, I do want to apologise and I hold my hand up because as head coach I am responsible.”
