Southampton start their Championship season away to Watford, while head coach Tonda Eckert waits for the Football Association’s verdict on the Spygate scandal. The 33-year-old said the pending charge is in the back of his mind, but he remains focused on pre-season and the new campaign.
What is Eckert waiting for?
Eckert is awaiting the FA’s decision after being charged with misconduct over authorising the observation of rival training sessions. It has been more than a week since the charge was brought, and Southampton are still waiting to learn the outcome.
The FA said Eckert acted in an improper manner and/or brought the game into disrepute. Saints were kicked out of the Championship play-offs in May after admitting they spied on three clubs during the campaign.
In June, Saints owner Dragan Solak said he would not sack the German head coach, although that position could be beyond his control if Eckert receives a lengthy ban.
“I would be lying if I said that it is not in the back of my mind,” Eckert told BBC Radio Solent.
“I think that's true for everyone involved but the positive thing is I just love the game I love football there's so much to prepare for.
“There's so many things to do in the pre-season with training preparation and a transfer window and once you lock into whatever is needed at the very moment, that's all that matters.
“It's not that it's constantly on my mind but obviously we'll be happy when the decision comes at one point and until then I just keep my head down working and I think the boys are in a good place.”
How are Southampton preparing for the new season?
Southampton are currently in Germany for a pre-season training camp, with owner Solak pictured with the squad, external as the club await the FA’s decision. Eckert’s team have already played friendlies against Eastleigh and Eintracht Braunschweig as well as a behind-closed-doors friendly against SC Paderborn.
They will play Preussen Munster on Saturday in their final friendly before facing Colchester the following weekend in the first round of the Carabao Cup. One week later, they begin their Championship season away at Watford.
Eckert said he hopes last season’s success, particularly in the FA Cup, will help provide momentum and belief for the new campaign.
What are Southampton’s aims this season?
Eckert said Southampton will be competing for automatic promotion places, and he believes that ambition is clear. He added that the club expect challenges throughout the season, with many games and several big clubs coming down from higher divisions.
“We'll be competing for automatics (top two), I think that's clear and that's the ambition,” Eckert added.
“There's going to be some challenges on the way like every season, that so many games will bring.
“Obviously you have some big clubs now coming down but in the end it's down to us and I think we've shown what we can do also against bigger teams, even if that's a different competition.
“We've shown what we are capable of doing and we need to make sure we connect to that as quick as possible.”
Southampton’s pre-season schedule continues as they prepare for the start of the Championship, the Carabao Cup and the FA’s decision on Eckert’s charge.
Key Facts
- Tonda Eckert has been charged by the FA with misconduct over the Spygate scandal.
- Southampton were kicked out of the Championship play-offs in May after admitting they spied on three clubs.
- The club are in Germany for a pre-season training camp and play Preussen Munster on Saturday.
- Southampton begin their Championship season away to Watford after facing Colchester in the Carabao Cup first round.
- Eckert said Southampton will compete for automatic promotion places this season.
