Portsmouth’s arch-rivals Southampton make surprise managerial call after spygate scandal
Pompey’s arch-rivals Southampton were kicked out of the play-offs by the EFL after admitting to spying on three clubs during the season.
Southampton will not sack head coach Tonda Eckert following the controversial spygate scandal.
That’s the clear call made by owner Dragan Solak, who has given his ‘full support’ to the under-fire German head coach.
Southampton have since admitted to breaching EFL regulations, having also been found to have spied on Oxford United and Ipswich Town earlier in the campaign.
After the St Mary’s Stadium outfit were removed from the play-offs and handed a four-point deduction ahead of next season, fresh reports have exposed damning WhatsApp messages between backroom staff which suggests Eckert did indeed sanction the spying.
However, Solak has since given his full backing for the 33-year-old to lead Pompey’s arch-rivals into the Championship next term.
Tonda Eckert given full backing by Southampton chief
Speaking to BBC Sport, the Serbian said: ‘I think he deserves a second chance and I would give it to him. My full support would be behind him, actually.
‘I believe Tonda that he didn’t know that it was the rule that he was breaking.
‘My personal opinion, and the opinion of the board, is that he is a manager who deserves to be backed by us and to be supported by us.
‘I will obviously seek advice from the team. I will seek advice from the players, from the fans. But yes, if it’s ultimately my decision, he stays.
‘In Italy or in Germany, where Tonda was working, this is basically common practice that nobody cares about.
‘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.
‘I truly hope that he will learn from this experience and he will achieve an incredible career.’
FA open investigation over Southampton spygate
The FA have subsequently opened their own investigation into the incident, which could see Eckert handed a ban if found guilty.
Despite this, Solak has pledged to support his head coach, insisting there can be ‘no double jeopardy’.
‘I can support him even if he’s banned, but I can’t make him manage if he’s banned.
‘My support comes from a very simple legal situation where there is no double jeopardy. Whatever crime you did, you can be sentenced only once.
‘I think we were ‘over-sentenced’. The punishment that the club received was severe and completely disproportionate to the mistake that we made.
‘We lost our chance to win £200million. If they’re going to go again and double that with a ban, we might appeal. He will have my support through the process, but if he’s banned, he’s banned.
‘I mean, I can’t put somebody to manage the club if he is not allowed.
‘I’m looking at him as a young, extremely talented manager – who took our club when we were 21st in the table and brought us almost to direct promotion.
‘I am amazed that Tonda is willing to come back in this hostile environment after the witch hunt he had in the media.
‘I’m pretty sure if the FA decides to ban him, he will get a triple better-paid job in Italy or Germany.
‘It was three times out of 46 games. If he would do it on an industrial level, he would do it in every game. Right?’