Southampton Owner Backs 33-Year-Old Eckert Despite 4-Point Penalty as FA Weighs Ban
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 1
Southampton Owner Backs 33-Year-Old Eckert Despite 4-Point Penalty as FA Weighs Ban
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 1
Dragan Solak said Tonda Eckert will stay as Southampton head coach, calling the 33-year-old “super-talented” and deserving of a second chance despite leading the club’s spying scheme.
Southampton were expelled from the Championship play-offs and docked 4 points for 2026-27 after admitting they observed Oxford, Ipswich and Middlesbrough training sessions; Solak said the club was “over-sentenced” and lost a £200 million promotion chance.
The FA is still investigating and could ban Eckert, though Solak said he would support him through any process and consider another appeal if further punishment is imposed.
Written reasons released Monday said a junior staffer felt “extreme pressure” to carry out a morally wrong task; Solak called that culture unacceptable, said the club had offered the intern an extended job, and promised internal soul-searching.
Solak also apologized to fans, said he learned of the plot on X rather than from club executives, and argued Southampton must tighten rule awareness to prevent a repeat.
Is backing a manager who spied a pragmatic move or a betrayal of the club's integrity?
Will player lawsuits over lost bonuses force clubs to be liable for their managers' misconduct?