Southampton told why manager's sacking is the only possible Spygate punishment
Southampton's expulsion from the play-offs could put their manager's future in jeopardy
It's not been a good week to be a Southampton fan. In a matter of days, the club have gone from the elation of reaching the Championship play-off final and the possibility of swiftly returning to the Premier League with all its riches to being booted out of the final under the darkest of clouds.
Spygate has left an unscrupulous mark on the Saints, with the club admitting to spying on opponents on three occasions this season, including play-off opponents Middlesbrough. Now, Saints fans will be forced to watch on from home as their rivals take their place at Wembley on Saturday, while a four-point penalty also awaits the club next season.
The affair has left question marks over the future of Tonda Eckert, with talkSPORT reporting club owner Dragan Solak is furious with the manager and the 33-year-old could now even face the sack.
Here, Express Sport reporters have had their say on whether the Southampton boss should go...
Tom Sunderland - sacked
He has to go. If it’s found (or admitted) Eckert directed or even had knowledge of the spying activity and didn’t put a stop to it, it’s his head that has to roll.
Hopefully, such a severe punishment will help put a stop to the practice once and for all, following lighter sentences in the past. Southampton’s results may not have been any different without getting a peek at opposition training, and the penalty has to fit such an egregious offence.
Mark Whiley - sacked
If the spying part of 'Spygate' wasn't bad enough, Southampton have blown what was left of their credibility to smithereens with their behaviour since it came to light. From Tonda Eckert's flimsy "they do it in Germany" defence to the press officer outrageously telling reporters to "show some respect", there's been a complete absence of contrition from both club and manager.
He's turned one of the most inoffensive clubs in the country into a pariah, and their reputation will remain in the mud while he's there. What are they waiting for? He simply has to go.
Abbie Meehan - not sacked
Tonda Eckert shouldn't be sacked because Southampton were banned from a trip to Wembley. The burden of this 'Spygate' scandal does not lie with just one person.
The decision to send someone to watch opposing teams' training sessions was not made by a singular individual. As much as fans will be looking for a scapegoat to put all of their frustrations on, it is a dangerous precedent to set if the blame is placed solely on the manager.
It is understandable that he could lose his job if he had a serious role in the spying, but this is clearly a joint effort involving various parties. The punishment for the club as a whole should be severe enough to deter future rule breaches, but I believe it's all-or-nothing when it comes to collective responsibility.
Fasika Zelealem - sacked
Tonda Eckert's shameful behaviour in the midst of the 'Spygate' scandal should result in an equally shameful exit from Southampton. Whether it's breaking EFL rules, blowing the Saints' opportunity for promotion or potentially costing the club hundreds of millions, there should be no scenario where the German remains in the dugout next season.
He not only betrayed the rules that govern the beautiful game but also the Saints' faithful, whose support led the club to such a promising position. It's the latter that remains unforgivable and should trigger his immediate exit.
Chris Burns - sacked
By getting the club expelled from the play-offs, Tonda Eckert's reckless actions cost Southampton a potential £200million - and a future they had dreamed about all season. OK, he claimed he didn't know his actions violated EFL rules, but that's a tough sell to fans devastated today by the ruling.
A case for Eckert's could be that ex-Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was not sacked by the Whites for a very similar offence in 2019. He paid a fine, stayed on, and led Leeds to promotion the next year.
Yet, Eckert needs to go. Even if Southampton kept him on, it’s likely he misses a chunk of next season through a ban anyway, which would be disruptive to say the least.
Simply put, the Saints will want and need a manager who understands and respects the league's regulations under which they operate. This would become even more paramount should they eventually reach the Premier League under the German, who has proved to be something of a loose cannon.
Dan Burnham - sacked
Unfortunately, yes. Saying you were none the wiser just isn't going to cut it I'm afraid. There'll be no getting past this for Saints unless anyone and everyone responsible is held to account. First Tonda, next those who allowed - wittingly or unwittingly - it to happen on their watch.
