Tonda Eckert EXCLUSIVE: Southampton boss reveals he received police protection after threats during Spygate scandal | football news

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert has revealed she received police protection amid threats during the Spygate scandal.

Saints were kicked out of the Championship play-off final in May after they admitted spying on three clubs during the season after being caught observing Middlesbrough training sessions ahead of their play-off semi-final first leg.

The EFL accused the Saints when it later emerged they had also monitored sessions involving Oxford and Ipswich.

As part of the punishment, Southampton will also start the upcoming season with minus-four points.

In an exclusive interview with Dr Sky Sports News’ Mark McAdam, Saints head coach Eckert discusses the impact of the Spygate scandal, the ongoing FA investigation and his belief that he retains the support of his players.

How have you been coping the last few months?

“It’s been an emotional summer. I can’t lie, obviously, when the news broke at the end of last season, it was difficult. It’s not easy in that moment. It’s not easy to look the players in the eye. They’re very disappointed, and a lot of emotion is coming out.

“You get a lot of threats at one point. At one point you have police protection; you can’t drive. It’s hard to deal with at the moment.

“When things calmed down over time, and I went back home, different challenges at home, you have a moment to reflect. I think there are also a lot of positives over the months that we can take into the next season. After a few weeks, that excitement comes back and shows what we’re doing. That’s how it felt since we got back to the training ground. We’re back in the second week now with very good players. Smiles on their faces and ready to go again.”

When you talk about police protection and threats, what do you mean?

“You can imagine what it’s like at the end of the season when emotions are high. Usually I try to stay away from social and not read too much, but there’s always something that comes up.

“It’s been a big wave, a very big wave in the open at the end. We’ve been around for a few more days to sort out some things that needed to be sorted out and look ahead for the first time. It’s been a tough few days.”

Did you fear for your own personal safety and the safety of your family?

“I brought my family back to Germany, so they were out of the country at that point. But yes, of course, when you get a direct line to the police, because they tell you they don’t know what’s going to happen to you at home, and you always have someone you can reach if something happens.

“You got messages, some support. There were some very nice messages in the last few days, but there were also a couple that weren’t so nice. Yeah, some challenging days.”

Are you still under investigation by the FA at the moment – what’s the latest?

“I went to London two weeks ago, and then there was an invitation for an interview. I think it was very professional. It took several hours to see what happened and now we are waiting for a response.”

How important is it that that response comes sooner rather than later?

“I think the process has started; now we’re waiting for the reaction. I think it doesn’t affect us so much in our day-to-day work; because once you’re on the field, you’re off the field and then you have to work. It’s good to be back on grass, but obviously that’s a question that needs to be answered.”

Has the FA given you any indication of how long the investigation might take?

“I wish there was a clear timeline, but I think they’ll get back to us soon and then we’ll know how things go.”

Do you think the players have your back?

“Yes, and it was exciting. It was exciting to come back last week. I think it’s not just Daniel (Peretz, who joined permanently from Bayern Munich), I think a number of players made a statement.

“And behind the performances of Daniel, Cyle (Larin – joined permanently from Mallorca) and James (Bree – new three-year deal) it was an easy decision to take a chapter elsewhere. And I think it just shows the commitment they have to the football club, to the project, to what we’re going to work for and what we’re going to do next season.

“I think the statement couldn’t be bigger given how our season ended.”

Do you think there will be some hostile reception next season to bridge the gap with the rest of the football community?

“I think that will be part of the story next season. Obviously away games are always challenging; I think they will be even more challenging next year. So, I think we have to represent internally, with the core of the football club, obviously with the supporters, and then the shirt and represent our colors in the best possible way.”

Do you have any regrets for what you did? And what lessons will you learn from what happened?

“It was difficult because for many months we have built something that I think is very special, and I said in a message to our supporters, that I take responsibility for how the season ended.

“At the same time, I never wanted to break any rules. I came to this football club in November, and next week I will attend the EFL for a briefing. I didn’t have that last season, but I spent the summer talking to some senior footballers (people) in English football, talking to a lot of managers.

“I’ve gone through the 131 rules in the appendix to the EFL regulations, so obviously there are a lot of decisions to be made going into a season, always. But I’m never going to make a decision based on a rule that I don’t know at the time.

“There’s a lot of reflection in the summer, and I think moving forward, showing humility as we approach next season, and then connecting with all the positives and excitement that we’ve had in so many games.

“I’ve reflected on a lot, and I’ve said this throughout the hearing: I never intended anything to be disrespectful. I took time over the summer not just to learn all the rules, not just the EFL’s but the FA’s, but more to understand where they come from and the culture behind it.

“It’s definitely something that won’t happen again next season, that I make a decision about a rule that I don’t know at the time or a culture that I don’t understand where that rule comes from.”