Southampton Owner Backs Manager Tonda Eckert Amid Spying Scandal
Southampton stick by spying manager Tonda Eckert as owner announces he WON'T sack him despite leaked WhatsApp messages showing his 'love' for cheating
Image: Mail Online
Southampton FC's owner, Dragan Solak, has confirmed that manager Tonda Eckert will not be dismissed despite leaked messages revealing his support for spying tactics. Solak expressed confidence in Eckert's abilities and stated he deserves a second chance after the club's failed appeal against expulsion from the Championship play-offs due to the scandal.
- 01Dragan Solak, Southampton's owner, believes Tonda Eckert deserves a second chance despite the spying scandal.
- 02WhatsApp messages revealed Eckert's approval of spying tactics, leading to pressure on the club to dismiss him.
- 03An intern, William Salt, felt pressured to spy on rival teams, claiming he had no option but to follow orders.
- 04The independent disciplinary commission noted a 'contrived and determined plan from the top down' regarding the spying operations.
- 05Eckert's actions were described as common practice in previous leagues he worked in, according to Solak.
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Southampton FC has decided to retain manager Tonda Eckert, despite the fallout from a spying scandal that has raised significant concerns about the club's integrity. Owner Dragan Solak announced his unwavering support for Eckert, stating, 'I think he deserves a second chance.' This decision comes after leaked WhatsApp messages revealed Eckert's endorsement of spying tactics, which included sending an intern, William Salt, to secretly record rival teams' training sessions. Salt testified that he felt immense pressure to comply with Eckert's instructions, stating, 'I didn’t really have an option and wasn’t provided an opportunity to say no.' The independent disciplinary commission's report criticized the club's systematic approach to spying, labeling it a 'contrived and determined plan from the top down.' Solak emphasized the need for Eckert to familiarize himself with the English Football League's rules to avoid future incidents, reflecting on the broader implications of the scandal for the club's reputation.
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The decision to retain Eckert amid the scandal could affect Southampton's reputation and fan trust.
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