Tonda Eckert: Southampton boss ‘hurt’ by Spygate judgement

Despite the ongoing investigation by the FA, Southampton continue to look forward as they prepare for the upcoming Championship season.

Saints owner Dragan Solak has already defended the head coach and said he will not sack Eckert.

In an interview to the club’s media channels, he said he felt Eckert deserved another chance and fully supports the German coach.

“Its a very big commitment from him,” said Eckert, who said the owner’s backing was “humbling and massive”. “It always shows in the tough moments – with your players, the staff at the training ground, the ownership and the board.

“It takes some reflection on how you want to move forward with the club. He’s taken a very quick decision and for me I think that is based on the bond and the trust we have created.”

The whole Spygate scandal has prompted a huge backlash from many outside the club, with Kim Hellberg, the manager of Middlesbrough – their play-off semi-final opponents – saying every club in the Championship “should be angry”.

Eckert believes the forthcoming season is going to be a challenging one for everyone at the club and their supporters.

“On the inside and together with the fans we need to be stronger than ever, that’s the reality,” he added.

“On the pitch, we need to become better in certain areas and that’s what pre-season is there for, and be strong for Watford in the first game.

“In the end we just need to show it all again. In the end no-one (at the club) cares too much about what has happened in the past.

“Nothing is as far away as the last game. That’s what we always said as soon as the season started, and its exactly the same now”.

Southampton’s opening Championship fixture is away to Watford on 16 August.