Southampton owner Dragan Solak has no intention of sacking head coach Tonda Eckert, despite the German taking full responsibility for the "Spygate" scandal that led to their play-off expulsion.

Southampton were set to face Hull City in the Championship play-off final last month, only for Middlesbrough – who the Saints defeated in the semi-finals – to allege their pre-match training sessions were illegally observed.

The Football League (EFL) charged Southampton with recording Boro's training sessions, as well as those of Oxford United and Ipswich Town earlier in the season, and kicked them out of the play-offs.

Southampton were also deducted four points for the 2026-27 campaign, with that punishment upheld following an appeal as Middlesbrough contested the play-off final in their place, losing 1-0 to a late Oli McBurnie goal. 

Eckert was widely expected to depart in the wake of Southampton's expulsion, particularly with the Football Association (FA) opening its own investigation.

But when addressing Southampton's fans on Tuesday, Solak said Eckert's job was safe for now. 

"I believe Tonda didn't know it was a rule that he was breaking," said Solak. "My personal opinion, and the opinion of the board, is that he is a manager who deserves to be backed by us and supported by us. 

"I will obviously seek advice from the team. I will seek advice from the players, from the fans. But yes, if it's ultimately my decision, he stays.

"I told him: 'You almost broke my heart. You do it again, you'll kill me. The next time I see you in July, if you don't know the EFL book of rules by heart, you can't work for me'. 

"We can't have another mistake. I truly hope that he will learn from this experience and he will achieve an incredible career."

Asked if that stance would change if the FA opted to suspend Eckert, Solak added: "Whatever crime you did, you can be sentenced only once. 

"I think we were 'over-sentenced'. The punishment the club received was severe and completely disproportionate to the mistake we made. We lost our chance to win £200m.

"If they're going to go again and then double that with a ban, we might appeal. He will have my support through the process. But if he's banned, he's banned. I mean, I can't put somebody there to manage the club if he is not allowed."

Eckert apologised for his part in the scandal, but added that observing opponents' training sessions was common practice in other countries.

"For everything that's happened, I do want to apologise, and I hold my hands up because, as a head coach, I am responsible," the former Genoa assistant said. 

"I apologise to all the clubs that have been involved. When I worked in Italy for over four years, every starting lineup that we chose was always out in the media before games. 

"I don't say this to excuse anything that we have done. I just want to give you context. I am a young coach, I have made a mistake and I take full responsibility."