Tonda Eckert makes shortlist for top league job despite Southampton spygate controversy
Southampton’s manager, Tonda Eckert, is catching the eye of some Serie A clubs, says journalist Rudy Galetti.
Last week, Southampton were kicked out of the Championship play-offs, even though they beat Middlesbrough over two legs in the semi-finals. Middlesbrough was given their spot back but then lost to Hull City at Wembley. This decision left Southampton fans feeling upset and out of pocket.
There are even reports that some Saints players might take legal action against the club because they missed out on potential earnings from moving up to the Premier League.
Many expect Southampton to let Eckert go, but nothing has happened yet. Galetti says clubs in Italy are watching closely.
“Several Italian teams have recently added Tonda Eckert to their list of possible future coaches,” Galetti says.
He adds, “Eckert still has a strong reputation in football. The club and he are taking the accusations very seriously. Still, many teams across Europe, especially in Italy, appreciate the work he’s done. He speaks fluent Italian and earned his coaching licenses there, which has helped him build strong connections.”
The names of interested clubs haven’t been shared yet, but the interest is real and quietly growing.
The coaching scene in Serie A is very busy right now. AC Milan is looking for a new coach after letting Max Allegri go, and Napoli, the 2024-25 champions, might need one soon if rumors about Antonio Conte leaving turn out to be true. There could be more openings before the international break next season, and Galetti thinks Eckert might be a good fit.
Southampton’s removal from the play-offs shows how serious the charges are. They go beyond just spying accusations.
The official report said, “The EFL believes the evidence shows top-level approval for the actions, which involved a junior staff member carrying out secret observations instructed by senior staff. It wasn’t just innocent behavior but a planned effort to gain a big advantage by sneaking into opponent training sessions to get tactical and team info.”
“It was more than just wrong—it was a very bad approach using young staff to quietly gather information at the direction of the club’s leaders.”