Southampton owner Dragan Solak has said he will not sack head coach Tonda Eckert, despite the Serbian admitting he authorised a spying campaign against rival Championship clubs. Solak told BBC Sport the ‘mistake’ would not cost Eckert his job, as the club faces a potential Football League investigation.
Eckert, 42, posted an apology video on the club’s official channels on Wednesday, saying: ‘I am responsible for everything that has happened.’ The admission came after reports that Southampton had sent an individual to observe opposition training sessions and tactical meetings – a practice dubbed ‘Spygate’ by fans and media.
“Southampton owner Dragan Solak has confirmed he will not sack head coach Tonda Eckert after he authorised a spying campaign against rival Championship clubs. Eckert apologised, saying he is 'responsible for everything'.”
‘It was a mistake, but I will not sack him,’ Solak said. ‘Tonda has shown remorse and we must move forward together. The focus is on the pitch, not off-field distractions.’ The owner’s comments are the first public backing of the head coach since the scandal broke.
Southampton currently sit third in the Championship table, with automatic promotion to the Premier League still within reach. The club declined to comment on whether the Football Association or English Football League have opened formal proceedings, but sources suggest a disciplinary review is likely.
The spying operation, which is believed to have targeted multiple unnamed rivals, has raised questions about sportsmanship and integrity in the second tier. Former players and pundits have criticised the club, with one ex-international telling Sky Sports News: ‘This is a serious breach of trust. If you’re prepared to cheat to win, what does that say about your character?’
Eckert, who took over at St Mary’s in the summer, apologised directly to supporters and opponents. ‘I let everyone down – the fans, the players, and the other clubs,’ he said. ‘There is no excuse. I take full responsibility.’ His video message, lasting less than a minute, has been viewed over 500,000 times on social media.
What happens next remains unclear. The EFL has not yet announced whether it will investigate, though precedent suggests fines or points deductions could be imposed for such breaches. For now, Solak’s public backing provides Eckert with some breathing room, but the scrutiny is unlikely to fade quickly.
What This Means For You For Southampton fans, the owner’s decision means stability in the dugout at a critical point in the season. But for supporters of other Championship clubs – especially those fighting for promotion or against relegation – the incident undermines faith in fair competition. If the league does act, any penalty could affect the table. For now, the focus remains on Saturday’s match against West Bromwich Albion, where Eckert will face a hostile away end.