Boro manager Kim Helberg gives emotional reaction as Southampton beat Middlesbrough in play-off semi-final amid spying allegations against Saints
Kim Helberg has an emotional reaction to Middlesbrough’s play-off exit (Image: Sky Sports)
After Middlesbrough lost to Southampton in the play-off semi-finals due to the spying scandal, an emotional Kim Helberg claimed that her Premier League dream had been taken away from her.
After a goalless draw in Saturday’s first leg, Shay Charles’ winning goal in the 116th minute gave Saints a 2-1 aggregate victory and they set their sights on the play-off final at Wembley on Saturday 23 May.
However, a member of Southampton’s staff was said to have been caught trying to watch Middlesbrough train before the game at the Riverside Stadium last Thursday, and Helberg is said to be fed up with the prospect of his influence as manager being undermined by opposing teams.
Helberg, who replaced Rob Edwards midway through the season, said he had been trying for 15 years to get to the Premier League but now had to digest the near miss. An emotional Boro manager said of his personal responsibility: “What I could control was the tactical side of the game and helping the players more.
“If we can do that, then in the week or two leading up to this game I will be away from my family for every second and watch every Southampton game as much as possible and try to get any real advantage that we can get.
read more: Southampton win hard-fought battle against Middlesbrough to advance to Championship play-off finalread more: Championship match canceled after England star accused of making ‘discriminatory remarks’ towards rival player
“If we didn’t get that guy that they sent on that five-hour drive, you’d sit there and say we probably did a good job on the tactical side of the game. And I’d go home and feel like we failed on that side of the game where we had to help the players.”
“When it was taken away from us in that way, when someone decided, ‘No, we’re not going to watch every match. Instead, we’re going to send someone to film the sessions and watch everything and hope we don’t get caught.’ I think that’s why they swapped clothes and everything else.
“It breaks my heart for everything I believe in. That’s the problem. I don’t care if different countries have other rules. This is England, where football is the biggest thing. That’s how I feel about football. I think it’s a disgrace. It makes me very sad.”
Tonda Eckert leaves press conference after being asked about spying allegations (Image: Sky Sports)
Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert walked out of a press conference over the weekend to answer questions about the Spygate scandal, then repeated the trick in the aftermath of Tuesday’s Saints win.
Eckert was left to take questions about the club’s alleged conduct and had no interest in discussing it further. The second question at the press conference was “Are you a fraud?” – But there was no response. A spokesperson who accompanied him told the reporter in question to “show some respect.”
Southampton, who were relegated last season, will face Hull in the play-off final if they beat Millwall on Monday night. However, Middlesbrough are still preparing themselves for the Wembley final and Saints are still subject to all sporting sanctions, including forfeiting the semi-final.
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