Tonda Eckert

[MB]

Zero chance he is staying

a) he will get banned

b) Saints will need to be seen to be doing the “right thing”

absolutely no chance, a shame as he is very talented coach and yet again our loss will be someone’s gain   

Only reason it hasn’t happened already as there is a gross misconduct process to follow so we don’t have to pay him off, he will be gone without any doubt 

[Willo of Whiteley]

But they’ll hire a cheap option rather than experience or any calibre

[benjii]

Loan him to Goztepe?

[James G]

8 hours ago, Mk1J said:

How many training grounds can you actually spy on in this league? I’d assumed if they admitted to 3 there’s bound to be more, but actually there can’t be many teams stupid enough to build a hotel and golf course next to their training ground. 

You can't spy on all the grounds, but there are some in the league

I do think he spied more the 3 times, but not every week. But he looks like a serial spy, I think he's done it everywhere he's been

I don't think for us the spying made a difference. I think just going to 4 at the back and having a big guy up front made more difference. And we got better because we got more confident 

[Saint_clark]

56 minutes ago, James G said:

You can't spy on all the grounds, but there are some in the league

I do think he spied more the 3 times, but not every week. But he looks like a serial spy, I think he's done it everywhere he's been

I don't think for us the spying made a difference. I think just going to 4 at the back and having a big guy up front made more difference. And we got better because we got more confident 

Any team that trained at Eastleigh prior to a Saints home game was probably spied on as well.

[die Mannyschaft]

Why hasn't he gone yet, and the rest 

[Mk1J]

37 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Any team that trained at Eastleigh prior to a Saints home game was probably spied on as well.

But given the close connections between Saints and Eastleigh any team training there would expect anything secret to be leaked back to Saints surely?

[Saint_clark]

2 minutes ago, Mk1J said:

But given the close connections between Saints and Eastleigh any team training there would expect anything secret to be leaked back to Saints surely?

No, otherwise they wouldn't train there. 

[so22saint]

AFC Totton are building / trying to build a new hotel complex so that visiting Premier League teams can stay and train there in isolation from Saints / the Media (as who wants to go to Totton - I am from there so I'm allowed to throw the shade ;-))

I see a flaw in their plan mind you

[sfc4prem]

5 minutes ago, so22saint said:

AFC Totton are building / trying to build a new hotel complex so that visiting Premier League teams can stay and train there in isolation from Saints / the Media (as who wants to go to Totton - I am from there so I'm allowed to throw the shade ;-))

I see a flaw in their plan mind you

Could allow clubs playing Bournemouth to stay and train, too. You know, that Premier League club with European football? Used to be referred to as Boscombe / The bucket rattlers?

[S-Clarke]

Do you know what I think is going to happen here, SR are waiting for someone else to make the decision for them.

Once the FA Ban him, you'll end up with a wishy washy statement on the OS stating that given the FA Ban, Eckerts employment at Southampton has been ceased. 

Does that start the process of us owning up? Does it fuck. 

I hope it doesn't play out that way, but honestly would anyone be surprised? It just feels like the form horse approach now.

[Topcat]

3 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Do you know what I think is going to happen here, SR are waiting for someone else to make the decision for them.

...................

Yes and the problem is that by delaying the decision, then we delay the selection and appointment of his replacement and preparation for the next season is badly impaired.

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, S-Clarke said:

Do you know what I think is going to happen here, SR are waiting for someone else to make the decision for them.

Once the FA Ban him, you'll end up with a wishy washy statement on the OS stating that given the FA Ban, Eckerts employment at Southampton has been ceased. 

Does that start the process of us owning up? Does it fuck. 

I hope it doesn't play out that way, but honestly would anyone be surprised? It just feels like the form horse approach now.

It’s exactly what they’re going to do. But when they’ve shown zero leadership, strategy and drive for 4 years it would never be any other way. All they’ve cared about, and care about now, is player trading and the impact on prices.

I’m staggered that people want a statement from Solak. Why? Would any of it be vaguely credible or have any integrity? He won’t have directed this but has appointed the people who did.

I’ve been a chair in another high profile local partnership albeit non-executive and ultimately everything including the behaviour of the Exec Director came to me and that’s where the buck stopped. I was a heck of a lot more across my portfolio than he’ll ever be.

[S-Clarke]

2 minutes ago, Topcat said:

Yes and the problem is that by delaying the decision, then we delay the selection and appointment of his replacement and preparation for the next season is badly impaired.

This is what we do though isn't it. We sat on Martin for too long, sat on Jones for too long, just silence and hoping it dies down.

But then have to act when things get way way too bad, so the collateral damage is greater than it could have been. 

I honestly think a lot of us on here should all come together, spin up a phoenix club, and we'd probably overtake SR's Southampton in around a decade.

[Gloucester Saint]

11 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

This is what we do though isn't it. We sat on Martin for too long, sat on Jones for too long, just silence and hoping it dies down.

But then have to act when things get way way too bad, so the collateral damage is greater than it could have been. 

I honestly think a lot of us on here should all come together, spin up a phoenix club, and we'd probably overtake SR's Southampton in around a decade.

I’d certainly come down and support one, become the AFC Wimbledon to SR’s MK Dons. 

[CB Fry]

15 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I honestly think a lot of us on here should all come together, spin up a phoenix club, and we'd probably overtake SR's Southampton in around a decade.

All hail the first "Let's all do AFC Southampton" post of the summer.

[BERMUDASAINT]

On 21/05/2026 at 16:03, bpsaint said:

You reckon the players are going to want to play for the guy that robbed some of them of their dream of playing in the Premier League? After nearly all of the hard work had been done?

I’ve had this argument on and off throughout the day with people but must be living in an alternative universe. Are there still fans advocating for Tonda to be manager next season? Even after this final damning report of him bullying an intern into spying despite claiming he didn’t know it was against the rules? Like the gross misconduct and bringing the club into disrepute charges weren’t enough 🤯

His job is more untenable than it was an hour ago, and it was already pretty untenable then.

I get your feelings are hurt ( I had to remove myself from work when i read the expulsion news and a Tiny TOT fan thought it was a good time to tease me, so i would clock him). But it is not because of the cheating! It because of the punishment, the promise land of PL has been taken away! Cant be because of the cheating, that would be very hypocritical of you! I am sure you cheat in your life, no one is a SAINT.

Do you chant LEO, LEO LEO? Why not TONDA, TONDA, TONDA? THEY BOTH CHEAT!

No coincidence that fans were writing we are no long chior boys, push overs, employing more dark arts( a form of cheating) during Tonda time.

Saints FC (not just Tonda) decided this form of cheating (spying) was acceptable and was wrongly hoping to get a slap on the wrist because of previous punishments and supposed commonly wide spread practice (PL dont even have  rule on this), and no defined punishment by tbe EFL. NO one in SFC would have thought we would get kicked out, if we did i am positive it would not have been done.

Players would have known, they have been in the game since kids, seen all the cheating and learn some themselves. Referes cheat with millions watching.

So, i think our young driven analystic manager used as much info as he could find, SFC took a risk that blew up. He is still a good coach and improved our team and players. I would keep him if he doen't get banned. No one is talking about Beliesa a cheater, his career had not suffered, why make Tonda....because your hurt?

[BERMUDASAINT]

On 21/05/2026 at 16:03, bpsaint said:

You reckon the players are going to want to play for the guy that robbed some of them of their dream of playing in the Premier League? After nearly all of the hard work had been done?

I’ve had this argument on and off throughout the day with people but must be living in an alternative universe. Are there still fans advocating for Tonda to be manager next season? Even after this final damning report of him bullying an intern into spying despite claiming he didn’t know it was against the rules? Like the gross misconduct and bringing the club into disrepute charges weren’t enough 🤯

His job is more untenable than it was an hour ago, and it was already pretty untenable then.

I get your feelings are hurt ( I had to remove myself from work when i read the expulsion news and a Tiny TOT fan thought it was a good time to tease me, so i would clock him). But it is not because of the cheating! It because of the punishment, the promise land of PL has been taken away! Cant be because of the cheating, that would be very hypocritical of you! I am sure you cheat in your life, no one is a SAINT.

Do you chant LEO, LEO LEO? Why not TONDA, TONDA, TONDA? THEY BOTH CHEAT!

No coincidence that fans were writing we are no long chior boys, push overs, employing more dark arts( a form of cheating) during Tonda time.

Saints FC (not just Tonda) decided this form of cheating (spying) was acceptable and was wrongly hoping to get a slap on the wrist because of previous punishments and supposed commonly wide spread practice (PL dont even have  rule on this), and no defined punishment by tbe EFL. NO one in SFC would have thought we would get kicked out, if we did i am positive it would not have been done.

Players would have known, they have been in the game since kids, seen all the cheating and learn some themselves. Referes cheat with millions watching.

So, i think our young driven analystic manager used as much info as he could find, SFC took a risk that blew up. He is still a good coach and improved our team and players. I would keep him if he doen't get banned. No one is talking about Beliesa a cheater, his career had not suffered, why make Tonda....because your hurt?

[Sarnia Cherie]

6 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

This is what we do though isn't it. We sat on Martin for too long, sat on Jones for too long, just silence and hoping it dies down.

But then have to act when things get way way too bad, so the collateral damage is greater than it could have been. 

I honestly think a lot of us on here should all come together, spin up a phoenix club, and we'd probably overtake SR's Southampton in around a decade.

It's a low bar, I'll give you that. 

[washsaint]

I hope Tonda stays.  Yes he messed up big time but the hysteria and clutching of pearls by Blackmore and co is pathetic.

Does anyone really think this does not happen with pretty much every other club?

With him at the helm I think we would be top 2.

[Gloucester Saint]

10 minutes ago, Sarnia Cherie said:

It's a low bar, I'll give you that. 

In a decade Sholing and Winchester will be singing ‘Wembley and you fucked it up’.

[Stu Man Do]

I think his future hangs on how vocally against him are the players who would likely stay next year? He’s obviously got a lot to like as a coach. Let’s see what happens next. Sacking him would likely lead to someone like Scott Parker which to my mind is similar to RM. Will get you up but builds a team that will get smashed in the PL.

[O_Lord_Marian]

Honestly, I was so pissed off with the whole situation, more with the thought of Boro getting promoted.  Now, keep Tonda, try to keep our best players and have a right go from the off. 4 points should be easily recoverable, just don't mess it up this time.

[Roo1976]

17 minutes ago, Stu Man Do said:

I think his future hangs on how vocally against him are the players who would likely stay next year? He’s obviously got a lot to like as a coach. Let’s see what happens next. Sacking him would likely lead to someone like Scott Parker which to my mind is similar to RM. Will get you up but builds a team that will get smashed in the PL.

IMO i dont want Parker..............rather have a pot of money and try for Frank. He could team up with that bloke we have from Brentford.............

[woodsaint1]

14 minutes ago, O_Lord_Marian said:

Honestly, I was so pissed off with the whole situation, more with the thought of Boro getting promoted.  Now, keep Tonda, try to keep our best players and have a right go from the off. 4 points should be easily recoverable, just don't mess it up this time.

We arent keeping our best players unfortunately. They'll be royally fucked off with how the season ended. THB, Scienza, Jander and probably Charles will all be sold. Peretz returning to Bayern too. We might have a chance of signing Larin, but then whoever is next in charge may not fancy him

[O_Lord_Marian]

4 minutes ago, woodsaint1 said:

We arent keeping our best players unfortunately. They'll be royally fucked off with how the season ended. THB, Scienza, Jander and probably Charles will all be sold. Peretz returning to Bayern too. We might have a chance of signing Larin, but then whoever is next in charge may not fancy him

Lets just see how it all pans out, then.

[Badger]

29 minutes ago, Roo1976 said:

IMO i dont want Parker..............rather have a pot of money and try for Frank. He could team up with that bloke we have from Brentford.............

Think there is little or no chance of Frank being brought to Saints. He’ll have other offers (Palace, Fulham perhaps?)

Big question for me though is whether Frank despite the name and reputation earnt at Brentford would have the desired effect. Yes, great time at Brentford, but how much if that was down to him, or the system they have in place ? The fact they put someone else in and you didn’t notice the change leaves a bit of a question for me.(Best ignore his time at Spurs, bit of a basket case).

This is ‘the system’ we’ve strived for, that head coaches are easily replaced and new ones just slot it. But we’ve clearly ballsed it up.

Could be like Nuno, hot property at Wolves but in a system and club to suit him, or Curbishley years ago. Charlton worked out, but not repeated anywhere else.

But academic as I don’t think he’ll be at Saints.