Southampton Owner Confirms Manager Tonda Eckert Will Remain Despite Spying Allegations
Southampton Football Club will not dismiss manager Tonda Eckert, despite leaked WhatsApp messages revealing his alleged enthusiasm for circumventing rules. Club owner Dragan Solak has publicly stated his unwavering support for the German coach, often referred to as the architect of the club’s recent ‘spygate’ controversy.
The decision comes after a period of intense pressure following revelations from the written reasons concerning the club’s unsuccessful appeal against expulsion from the Championship play-offs. These documents detailed the extent of a spying operation and Eckert’s alleged involvement. Efforts to conceal these activities have also been brought to light, particularly after an investigation uncovered an intern being caught recording a rival team’s training session.
Owner Cites Manager’s Talent and Belief in Innocence
In comments made to BBC Sport, Dragan Solak expressed his belief that Eckert deserves another opportunity. “I think he deserves a second chance and I would give it to him,” Solak stated. “My full support would be behind him actually, because I think he’s a super-talented manager. I believe Tonda that he didn’t know that it was the rule that he was breaking.”
WhatsApp messages obtained during an inquiry into the club’s actions have surfaced, indicating that an intern was praised with the message, “You legend. Manager loved it,” following a spying mission on Oxford United in December. However, the report also highlights reservations voiced by both the intern and another analyst regarding the instructions they received.
Intern Describes Feeling Pressured
Evidence presented to an independent disciplinary commission by the intern, William Salt, suggests a lack of agency. “I didn’t really have an option and wasn’t provided an opportunity to say no. I was an intern and was doing what I was told,” Salt reportedly told the commission.
Owner Solak suggested that such practices might be more common in other leagues where Eckert has previously worked. “In Italy or in Germany, where Tonda was working, this is basically common practice that nobody cares about,” Solak commented. He also conveyed his disappointment to Eckert, saying, “I told him: ‘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. Because, we can’t have another mistake’.”
Concerns Over Job Security Cited
The appeal panel’s findings indicate that there was evidence suggesting other analysts had faced repercussions earlier in the season, leading to concerns among staff about their own job security. “They felt pressurised to do the observations that Mr Eckert and the senior coaches wished them to do,” the panel noted.
Following the incident where Salt was apprehended while attempting to record Middlesbrough’s training session, a message exchange between analysts revealed ongoing unease. One analyst reportedly expressed, “I said all along I was never happy about it all & it wasn’t right but no one listened to me!”
Comprehensive Plan Alleged
The full investigation report describes the club’s alleged spying activities as a “contrived and determined plan from the top down.” Specific incidents are detailed, including Eckert’s alleged desire to ascertain an opponent’s tactical setup and player fitness before a crucial match.
Regarding the Middlesbrough incident, the report notes that Salt felt “under extreme pressure due to the importance of the game for the club” after Eckert proposed the spying operation. Salt’s messages indicate he felt compelled to take videos due to perceived pressure from coaches who were dissatisfied with previous efforts. Despite an analyst suggesting Salt avoid the mission due to security concerns, the club arranged travel and accommodation, even providing drone footage to guide Salt on observation points.
The report further details how attempts were made to distance Salt from Eckert, including suggestions to remove his image from club materials. However, links between the intern and the manager were reportedly already established.
