Southampton owner Dragan Solak will not sack head coach Tonda Eckert, despite the spying scandal that led to the team's expulsion from the play-offs.

What happened?

Eckert apologised for his mistake, taking full responsibility for the scandal. He guided Southampton to a fourth-place finish in the Championship, but the team was deducted four points for the 2026-27 season.

Why it matters for Southampton

The scandal has damaged the team's reputation, but Solak believes Eckert deserves a second chance. Solak said: "I think he deserves a second chance and I would give it to him." Eckert has been backed by the owner, who cited his talent and potential for growth.

What comes next?

Southampton will look to bounce back from the play-off expulsion, with Eckert at the helm. The team's recent form has been strong, with a record of | Stat | Value | | --- | --- | | League standing | 4th in Championship, 72 pts, 20W-12D-10L from 42 games | | Recent form | WWWWW | | Last result | Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough (2026-05-12) | Solak has warned Eckert that he must learn from his mistake and adhere to the EFL rules. Eckert has acknowledged his error and has apologised to the fans. The team will look to move forward, with a focus on the upcoming season.