Southampton has offered a permanent role to intern Jack Salt after the Spygate scandal that rocked the Championship play-offs. The club was expelled from the final against Hull City following allegations of espionage against Middlesbrough, but owner Dragan Solak has backed manager Tonda Eckert and now Salt will stay at St. Mary's in a new academy position.

What happened during the Spygate scandal?

Salt was caught spying on Middlesbrough ahead of their play-off semifinal in May. An EFL investigation revealed multiple instances of espionage by Southampton, including WhatsApp messages from December 2025 showing praise for Salt's actions. The intern claimed he felt pressured to comply with instructions from senior staff.

Why it matters for Southampton

The scandal led to Southampton's expulsion from the play-off final, where Middlesbrough lost to Hull City in injury time. Despite the controversy, owner Dragan Solak has shown support for manager Tonda Eckert, who retained his job. The club now faces scrutiny over its tactics but is moving forward with Salt in a new role within the academy.

What comes next for Southampton?

With the 2026/27 Championship season starting on August 16 against Watford, Southampton will look to rebuild after the scandal. Currently sitting 4th in the Championship with 80 points (22W-14D-10L), they trail leaders Coventry by 15 points. Their next fixture is a home game against Wrexham on February 20, 2027, with Wrexham currently 7th in the table.