Southampton manager Tonda Eckert is likely to miss the team's opening matches of the 2026-27 season after being charged by the FA. With just 12 days remaining until the season kicks off with a Carabao Cup first round clash against Colchester United on Saturday, 8 August, uncertainty remains over Eckert's role.
What happened?
Eckert's actions have been questioned by former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that he expects a lenient approach, possibly a six-game ban.
Why it matters for Southampton
The team finished fourth in the Championship last term, just four points off automatic spots, with a record of 22W-14D-10L from 46 games, and recent form of WDWDD.
What comes next?
If the ban is instated, Eckert would miss key matches, including the Carabao Cup game and league matches against Watford, Stoke City, Millwall, Birmingham City, and Lincoln City. As of the end of the last season, Southampton had scored 82 goals and conceded 56, with a goal difference of +26, and were 15 points behind leaders Coventry. Their last result was a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough on 2026-05-12, and they are on a 2-game winning run, with a recent form of 3W-2D-0L. The team's next fixture is against Bolton at home on 2026-10-17. With the new season approaching, Southampton fans will be eager to see their team battle for promotion once again, but the uncertainty surrounding Eckert's fate adds an extra layer of complexity to their preparations.
