Shortly after Southampton was disqualified from the playoffs due to the “Spygate” scandal, Saints manager Tonda Eckert issued an apology.
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has asked for forgiveness for the infamous Spygate scandal. Saints were stripped of their place in the play-off final after admitting multiple breaches of EFL rules, including spying on Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town and Oxford United’s training sessions.
As well as being banned from Wembley’s £200m centerpiece game against Hull City, the Hampshire side were also given a four point deduction, which will apply from next season.
Young Saints staff members recently told an independent disciplinary panel that Eckert was “under extreme pressure” to secretly spy on other teams.
The committee described the story as “a plan devised and decided from the top down.” Eckert later apologized for the incident and asked for forgiveness from the players and supporters.
In a video uploaded by the Saints’ social media team, he said: “When I worked in Italy for over four years, the starting XI we selected always appeared in the media.
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“That’s because our training sessions were always observed by the opposition team, Guardiola said from his time at Bayern Munich.
“I don’t say this to explain, but I grew up around football so England and the EFL have different rules and I should have known those.”
Eckert takes full responsibility (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
He added: “I am a young coach and I have made mistakes and I take full responsibility. I would like to thank the board for their support during these times. I would like to thank you for everything that I have said to you from the heart, unscripted and unscripted.”
“I hope you understand the outline of what happened and that over time you can understand and forgive me. I hope to see you again soon. I take responsibility for everything that happened. I apologize to the players.”
Southampton owner Dragan Solak insisted he had no intention of sacking Eckert, despite the club’s disgrace over the incident. Three different clubs’ practice sessions were being monitored by club interns sent by Eckert to watch practices.
Nevertheless, Solak insisted on keeping Eckert in place. “I think he’s a very talented manager and I’ll give him my full support,” he told BBC Sport.
Solak insists he will keep Eckert in his position (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
“I don’t think Tonda knew he was breaking the rules. My personal opinion, and the board’s opinion, is that he is a manager who should and deserves our support.”
“Obviously I’m going to ask the team for advice, I’m going to ask the players for advice, I’m going to ask the fans for advice. But certainly, if it’s my decision in the end, he’ll stay.”
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