Saints are approaching a significant moment in the ongoing Spygate saga, with head coach Eckert’s future still uncertain due to possible sanctions.
The FA charged Eckert with misconduct over three counts of bringing the game into disrepute for his part in events that saw Saints punished in May.
They could issue him a lengthy ban at a hearing, understood to be set for Thursday, which would throw his future at St Mary’s into significant doubt.
But CEO Parsons insists the club have not begun preparations for finding a new manager, with owners Sport Republic keen to continue backing Eckert.
Asked if the club have spoken to prospective bosses, Parsons told BBC Sport: “No, we’re not looking like that. The ownership want to back Tonda.
Saints CEO Phil Parsons and sporting director Johannes Spors (Image: Stuart Martin)
READ: Eckert: ‘We’ve had a big punishment, I’ve asked for forgiveness’
“We will decide that when we get to it. You hear rumours of what people think and what could happen, but we’re hoping [the panel] look at it sensibly.
“We don’t want to be seen as a victim of this. We need to get on. We’ve had our cards dealt. It will be really tough to take if we get another punishment.
“On top of being thrown out of the play-offs, we’ve had four points this season, so we’re hoping the panel are looking at this with a balanced view.
“It’s already been really heavy. Tonda’s a young manager. He’s made a mistake, and he’s paid for that dearly. This has been really tough for him.
“I admire how strong he’s been through this process because a lot of people could have cracked under the amount of pressure he was under.
“I also think that without him and his team, we wouldn’t have been in the play-off position. I think that deserves a bit of loyalty.
“We don’t know what the FA will actually hand out. It could be a long ban, it could be a short ban, or it could be suspended, so there’s a variety of things.
“What we hope is they recognise where we are at the moment and what we’ve already been through, because I think it has to be taken into account.
“I really feel like we’ve taken enough. We’ve been hurt. I think it’s one of the largest sanctions ever when it comes to football or even sporting history.”