One crazy scenario...

[NewYorkSaint]

A lot of us are wrestling with an impossible mix of feelings. Fury at Tonda for shaming and ruining us. But also deep respect for his talent... and even, if we took a minute, some gratitude for what he achieved. ( I'm making the assumption that 95%+ of what he achieved did not depend on cheating.).  Plus there's the fact that every other manager in past couple years hasn't worked. Until two weeks ago, he did.         So... what if the following happened.

Tonda came out with a statement that said. "I will be embarrassed about this the rest of my life. The practice is common in Germany. It's just part of scouting. But I was an idiot not to realize the rules and expectations are very different here.  I of course have to offer my resignation to the club.  And honestly, it kills me to do this. I've fallen in love with Southampton, and have the deepest respect for the players I've got to work with these past six months.  I'd give anything to have one more crack at earning promotion, this time done only the right way.  But given what I've done, I offer my resignation to the club and my deepest apologies to them, the players and most of all to you, the fanbase."

And then suppose the club came back with. "Tonda, there's no question you've caused the club serious damage.  And you're right to submit your resignation. We're pondering it, and before we make our final decision, we think we should seek the opinion of the players and of Saints fans. There's a saying out there that no one should ultimately be defined by the worst thing they ever did.  It's just possible players and fans would be willing to give you another chance given your clear statement of intent.  So, we're going to invite a week long discussion, and then put it to the vote. Two separate votes: players first, and then fans.  If both still believe in you, we're going to ask you to withdraw your reservation, accept a 50% pay cut for the coming year, but stay on and be part of the essential rebuild we're undergoing."  

You may think this as unlikely situation, and it's of course possible an FA ban will intervene in any case.  But just suppose.  1) Would you like to see this process happen and 2) if it did, which way would you likely vote?      Anyone see any other way out which could make it feel OK to retain Tonda?

[Willo of Whiteley]

It’ll be interesting to know what the players think of him now.

There was clearly admiration previously.

[benjii]

Nah.

[Hopper]

Would never work, the minute performances even remotely slipped everyone would be calling for his head.

[Tommy]

Nah, he has to go

[James G]

3 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

It’ll be interesting to know what the players think of him now.

There was clearly admiration previously.

The odd thing is, if staff were sharing funny pictures of Will Salt, it's hard to believe that at least some of the players weren't even slightly aware

[wild-saint]

19 minutes ago, NewYorkSaint said:

A lot of us are wrestling with an impossible mix of feelings. Fury at Tonda for shaming and ruining us. But also deep respect for his talent... and even, if we took a minute, some gratitude for what he achieved. ( I'm making the assumption that 95%+ of what he achieved did not depend on cheating.).  Plus there's the fact that every other manager in past couple years hasn't worked. Until two weeks ago, he did.         So... what if the following happened.

Tonda came out with a statement that said. "I will be embarrassed about this the rest of my life. The practice is common in Germany. It's just part of scouting. But I was an idiot not to realize the rules and expectations are very different here.  I of course have to offer my resignation to the club.  And honestly, it kills me to do this. I've fallen in love with Southampton, and have the deepest respect for the players I've got to work with these past six months.  I'd give anything to have one more crack at earning promotion, this time done only the right way.  But given what I've done, I offer my resignation to the club and my deepest apologies to them, the players and most of all to you, the fanbase."

And then suppose the club came back with. "Tonda, there's no question you've caused the club serious damage.  And you're right to submit your resignation. We're pondering it, and before we make our final decision, we think we should seek the opinion of the players and of Saints fans. There's a saying out there that no one should ultimately be defined by the worst thing they ever did.  It's just possible players and fans would be willing to give you another chance given your clear statement of intent.  So, we're going to invite a week long discussion, and then put it to the vote. Two separate votes: players first, and then fans.  If both still believe in you, we're going to ask you to withdraw your reservation, accept a 50% pay cut for the coming year, but stay on and be part of the essential rebuild we're undergoing."  

You may think this as unlikely situation, and it's of course possible an FA ban will intervene in any case.  But just suppose.  1) Would you like to see this process happen and 2) if it did, which way would you likely vote?      Anyone see any other way out which could make it feel OK to retain Tonda?

great post. Commonly known as Dont throw the baby out with the bath water. 

Id go as far as saying sell any players that werent on board with it. It would also be a big fuck off to the EFL.

All moot though as the FA will ban him. 

[SNSUN]

I don't hate him but his position has become untenable. We need to move as far away from this spying saga as quickly as possible and that means removing everyone involved. 

[die Mannyschaft]

You have to factor in the reaction of Sky, pundits and Middlesbrough fc as they won't like one bit and will create another campaign of hate against Saints. The first game we play with Tonda win, draw or lose Boro will say cheated. 

[wild-saint]

4 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

I don't hate him but his position has become untenable. We need to move as far away from this spying saga as quickly as possible and that means removing everyone involved. 

it sounds like its systemic within the club and if you remove anyone that either is involved or knew about it we would have an empty trainign ground bar the physio lol

[EssEffCee]

You're right, that is crazy.

[Southner]

Imagine if Boro win on Saturday with a penalty resulting from a dive.

Completely different scenario but just as cunty. 

[saintant]

1 hour ago, die Mannyschaft said:

You have to factor in the reaction of Sky, pundits and Middlesbrough fc as they won't like one bit and will create another campaign of hate against Saints. The first game we play with Tonda win, draw or lose Boro will say cheated. 

On that basis it's a yes from me 🙂

[disconnect]

18 minutes ago, Southner said:

Imagine if Boro win on Saturday with a penalty resulting from a dive.

Completely different scenario but just as cunty. 

Then Hull should declare that they believe the match is null and void, and here's our legal case. Maybe they can get James Cordon on board to demand £75 million from Middlesbrough?!

Meanwhile Hull (or Saints!) release a media campaign continually demanding the match is void, picturing and shaming the Boro player, phoning mates from the media and brandishing this player a cheater for life. That is essentially the same thing they did to us, so should be fine for them to have the same treatment?!

[S-Clarke]

I wouldn't buy any of that. If he said - 'this is common practice everywhere' , that doesn't mean it's fair game and right to do does it? Guns are legal in America, it doesn't mean I can drive to Lidl with one in my car in the UK.

Edited 10 hours ago by S-Clarke

[Miltonaggro]

1 hour ago, disconnect said:

Then Hull should declare that they believe the match is null and void, and here's our legal case. Maybe they can get James Cordon on board to demand £75 million from Middlesbrough?!

Meanwhile Hull (or Saints!) release a media campaign continually demanding the match is void, picturing and shaming the Boro player, phoning mates from the media and brandishing this player a cheater for life. That is essentially the same thing they did to us, so should be fine for them to have the same treatment?!

Trouble is Parson’s main media contact is Adam Blackmore, Rasmus is Sven Boden from Blue Sky Sauna Monthly, and Dragan is on first name terms with the golf correspondent at the Belgrade Bugle.  

[disconnect]

3 hours ago, Miltonaggro said:

Trouble is Parson’s main media contact is Adam Blackmore, Rasmus is Sven Boden from Blue Sky Sauna Monthly, and Dragan is on first name terms with the golf correspondent at the Belgrade Bugle.  

Hopefully Hull have better local media connections than Blackmore, who seemingly hasn’t really backed us at all through this whole fiasco. Probably mates with Gibbo! 🤣