Despite being at the centre of the “Spygate” scandal which has dragged the name of Southampton threw the mud, cost them the chance to play in the Championship playoff final and start next season with a points deduction, head coach Tonda Eckert is to keep his job.
The club’s owner Dragan Solak has stated that he made a “mistake“ and that he deserves a second chance.
That was despite the release of more evidence in the form of leaked WhatsApp message revealing that the junior members of staff tasked with the actual spying on Middlesbrough, Oxford United and Ipswich Town felt under extreme pressure to carry out a task they felt uncomfortable with, and was morally questionable.
The Slovenian has, however, chosen to stick by his man, arguing that he did not know that he was breaking any rules, and that it is common practice to carry out such espionage in countries like Italy and Germany.
Critics might argue that ignorance of the law is no defence.
And it does not mean this is the end of the matter as far as Eckert is concerned. The FA has launched its own investigation into the “Spygate” scandal and they could yet decide to charge the German. And if found guilty, he could eventually be banned.
In those circumstances, Solak accepts Eckert could no longer be head coach of the Championship club, although he will continue to support him.
Many would wish to have such an accommodating boss like that.
