Southampton owner has no intention of sacking boss Tonda Eckert over ‘Spygate’

Southampton owner Dragan Solak has insisted he will not sack head coach Tonda Eckert over ‘Spygate’ if the decision comes down to him.

The 33-year-old German’s future has come under scrutiny after an independent disciplinary commission found the Saints guilty of observing opponents’ training sessions and that Eckert had sanctioned the subterfuge, with the club expelled from the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

Serbian media mogul Solak admitted that Eckert had made a “mistake”, but was adamant it should not cost a “super-talented manager” his job.

Solak told BBC Sport: “I have to believe, honestly, and I believe Tonda, that he didn’t know it was the rule that he was breaking.”

He added: “My personal opinion, and the opinion of the board, is that he is a manager who deserves to be backed by us and to be supported by us.

“I think he deserves a second chance and I would give it to him. My first support would be behind him, actually, because I think he is a super-talented manager.

“I truly hope that he will learn from this experience and he will achieve an incredible career in his life.”

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Southampton were charged after Middlesbrough complained to the English Football League (EFL) that a member of Saints’ staff had been spotted filming training at the Teesside club’s Rockliffe Park base ahead of the first leg of the play-off semi-final between the sides.

The Saints subsequently won the tie 2-1 on aggregate, but days before they were due to meet Hull in the final at Wembley, they were removed from the competition and Boro reinstated, although they ultimately lost 1-0 to the Tigers.

The Football Association has since opened its own investigation into the