Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has revealed he received death threats and was advised by police to stop driving following the club's Spygate scandal. The 33-year-old German coach remains in charge despite the fallout from the spying incident that saw Southampton kicked out of the Championship play-off final.
Death threats and police advice
Speaking to German outlet Kicker, Eckert confirmed the threats were serious enough to require police involvement. "Yes, it could no longer be handled without the police," he said. "I do not want to go into details, only this much: I was advised not to drive myself any more, but to sit in the back of the car instead. That was very difficult."
He added: "It was a situation no coaching course prepares you for. No training explains how to react when, for security reasons, you are suddenly supposed to sit in the back seat. As I said, it was very difficult."
Club punished, Eckert still awaiting FA verdict
Southampton were thrown out of the Championship play-off final after admitting they spied on rival clubs. They will start the 2026/27 season on -4 points, while Eckert is still waiting for the outcome of a Football Association charge. The FA determined the spying on Oxford United, Ipswich and Middlesbrough was a "contrived and determined plan from the top down".
Despite the possibility of a lengthy touchline ban, Southampton's hierarchy have stuck by Eckert. He says he received supportive messages from "well-known colleagues" in England and Germany, but the public reaction was intense.
Eckert admits charge weighs on him
The FA charged Eckert with acting in an improper manner, or bringing the game into disrepute. He has been overseeing pre-season preparations in Germany, with Saints targeting promotion back to the Premier League. He admitted the charge has complicated things.
"I would be lying if I said that it is not in the back of my mind," Eckert told BBC Radio Solent. "I think that's true for everyone involved, but the positive thing is I just love the game. I love football - there's so much to prepare for."
He continued: "There's so many things to do in the pre-season with training preparation and a transfer window, and once you lock into whatever is needed at the very moment, that's all that matters. It's not that it's constantly on my mind but obviously we'll be happy when the decision comes at one point and until then I just keep my head down, working, and I think the boys are in a good place."
Eckert apologises for bad judgement
Eckert has insisted he didn't know the EFL rules banning the observation of opponents' training sessions, which he says is common practice in other countries. He previously told BBC Radio Solent: "It's tough to read some of the things that are out there, I've held my hand up for this judgement on something I have authorised. I am responsible and I apologise for bad judgement; we've be in now for a week and there comes a point to look forward and from the first day back in, there's been lots of smiles and a good energy in the place again."
