Southampton were able to breathe a sigh of relief last week when it was revealed Tonda Eckert had escaped severe punishment for his role in the Spygate saga. The German was given a six-week suspended ban and a £28,000 fine by the FA, crucially clearing him to keep his position in the dugout.
The news has quickly been followed by calls to secure his long-term future, with Saints legend James Beattie among them. Now, a report from talkSPORT states the Championship promotion hopefuls are planning discussions with Eckert over a new contract.
Eckert is currently only under contract until the end of the 2026/27 campaign. Southampton owner Dragan Solak, who backed his boss through the saga, now wants to strike a long-term deal to fend off interest.
Why a new Tonda Eckert contract is a must for Southampton
Eckert was somewhat of an unknown quantity when he took up the Southampton job on an initial caretaker basis. He had strong coaching pedigree from spells in the setups of the German national team, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, but as a manager, his experience was limited to youth football.
The 33-year-old rapidly turned the Saints’ season around though, and after the dramatic end to last term, he has picked up where he left off. Eckert has recorded 17 points in nine Championship games, which would have his side in 3rd if not for the four-point deduction incurred in the Spygate fallout.
Eckert is proving he can get results without breaking rules, which many questioned after he was rumbled for spying on opposition training sessions. He is justifying owner Solak’s belief that he is one of the brightest young bosses in Europe.
It means that holding onto him and securing his long-term future is an absolute must. Not only will a new deal rule out the chance of Eckert leaving at the end of the season, but it would mean that any interested club would have to pay big compensation to buy him out of his contract.
Tonda Eckert’s record as Southampton boss
Games W D L Win %
51 31 11 9 60.8%
The Verdict: New Eckert deal can help Southampton leave Spygate in the past
The final decision over Eckert’s punishment, or lack thereof, means Southampton can finally draw a line under the Spygate saga and move on. A new contract will help them do just that too.
It would affirm their commitment to Eckert and remove any lingering doubt over his future as his contract winds down. Not only this, but it would mean they can fully focus on on-pitch matters for the first time in a while, with no questions over Spygate or what could be next to be asked.
Southampton are determined to secure promotion to the Premier League as redemption for their wrongdoing last term, and Eckert has a key role to play.
Be the first to comment