Southampton face fresh Tonda Eckert pressure after Spygate scandal

EFL manager urges Southampton to sack Tonda Eckert after Spygate scandal

Bromley manager Andy Woodman has criticised Southampton’s decision to keep Tonda Eckert in charge following the controversial Spygate scandal that rocked the club last season.

Eckert became embroiled in the controversy after Southampton sent an analyst to monitor Middlesbrough’s preparations ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final.

The Saints eventually progressed past Middlesbrough after winning the second leg, but the fallout proved severe. Southampton were subsequently removed from the play-off final against Hull City and handed a four-point deduction for the 2026/27 campaign.

Eckert has also been charged by the FA over his alleged involvement in the affair. The German could potentially face a lengthy suspension, with Southampton having also been found to have improperly monitored two other Championship clubs.

Despite the controversy, Southampton owner Dragan Solak has continued to publicly back Eckert, allowing him to remain in his position as the club prepare for another promotion campaign.

That decision has not been universally welcomed, however, and Woodman believes Southampton should have taken a different approach.

Speaking alongside former EFL players Lyle Taylor and Luke Chambers on the 72+ EFL Pod, the Bromley boss admitted he would have dismissed Eckert had he been in Southampton’s position.

“I’d have got rid of the manager,” Woodman said.

“I know I shouldn’t say that, but that’s what I would’ve done.”

Woodman believes Southampton needed to make a clean break from the controversy rather than attempting to move forward with Eckert still at the helm.

“I’d have cleared the decks – that’s still hanging around the manager, isn’t it?” he added.

The Bromley boss also pointed to the potential consequences of the scandal, arguing that someone ultimately had to take responsibility for an incident that cost Southampton an opportunity to reach the Premier League.

“Someone would’ve had to be the fall guy,” Woodman said. “I know it’s a horrible thing to say because I’m a manager but that has got to be orchestrated by the manager and it’s cost the club a chance of promotion.”

Woodman also suggested that Southampton could have used the opportunity to rebuild their relationship with supporters by starting afresh.

“Then you’ve got the fanbase, I think it should’ve been clear and start afresh.”

Southampton preparing for possible Eckert ban

The uncertainty surrounding Eckert’s future has not disappeared.

The Southampton manager remains under investigation by the FA and could receive a significant ban depending on the outcome of the disciplinary process.

That could leave Southampton facing a difficult decision after backing their manager throughout the summer.

Technical director Johannes Spors recently acknowledged that the club are preparing for different possibilities while they wait for clarity over the situation.

“There are so many uncertainties of how this could look like,” Spors said.

He insisted, however, that Southampton remain hopeful of a positive outcome.

The club’s preparations have even included discussions about what would happen if Eckert were unavailable, meaning Southampton are aware that his position could yet change.

For now, though, Eckert remains in charge and Southampton appear determined to move forward with him.

The controversy has undoubtedly changed the atmosphere around the club, but Southampton will hope the criticism can eventually be turned into motivation as they attempt to mount another promotion challenge.

With the FA’s decision still potentially capable of changing Eckert’s immediate future, however, the Spygate saga is far from over.