He admitted authorising missions to observe opposition training sessions last season and was subsequently charged with misconduct by the FA.
Eckert’s hearing comes with the 33 year old still in charge and attempting to lead Saints back to the Premier League, after being one win away last season.
The scandal has overshadowed a remarkable rise in the Saints role, and could lead to him being banned from some or all football activity for a long time.
Tonda Eckert (Image: PA)
Who is Tonda Eckert?
When Eckert was unveiled as Southampton’s permanent head coach in December 2025, he was largely unknown to most Saints supporters.
Less than a year later, he had led the club to an FA Cup semi-final, a Championship play-off final and a 21-match unbeaten run, while also becoming embroiled in the spying scandal that continues to shape his tenure.
The German coach first arrived at St Mary’s in July 2025 when Saints appointed him as their new under-21s head coach after a spell working at Genoa.
The move was overseen by sporting director Johannes Spors, who had identified Eckert as part of a longer-term succession strategy at the club.
Before arriving at Saints, Eckert had built his coaching career across Germany, Austria, England and Italy, working in the academies of Cologne, Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich – where he assisted Miroslav Klose.
His first role saw him deployed as an opposition analyst for the German national team, and he worked on EURO 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.
He later moved into senior football as an assistant at Barnsley before spending three-and-a-half years at Genoa, working under several managers including Alexander Blessin, Alberto Gilardino and Patrick Vieira.
His rise was rapid. Just four months after arriving on the south coast, Eckert was promoted from the academy set-up to interim first-team manager following the departure of Will Still.
At the time, Saints were 21st in the Championship and drifting towards a relegation battle. Eckert immediately transformed results.
Saints won a series of matches under his leadership, climbed away from danger and quickly became promotion contenders.
His impact was so immediate that calls for a permanent appointment began within weeks. On December 5, 2025, Saints confirmed him as permanent first-team head coach.
Still only 32 when he took over the first team, Eckert’s reputation was built around detailed analysis, modern coaching methods and player power.
By spring 2026, Saints were among the form teams in the Championship, pushing for automatic promotion and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.
Eckert won Championship Manager of the Month three consecutive times during the run.
In interviews, Eckert has spoken about rebuilding the relationship between the club, supporters and the city after a difficult period.
Reflecting on taking over, he said Saints had to “earn the trust” of supporters again and reconnect with the city.
His tenure, however, became overshadowed by “Spygate”. Saints admitted breaches involving observation of opposition training sessions ahead of matches against Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough.
The club were expelled from the Championship play-offs and deducted four points for the following season. Eckert later admitted authorising the missions and became the subject of a separate FA misconduct case.
Despite that controversy, Saints retained their faith in him. By September 2026, Eckert remained in charge with Saints again challenging at the top end of the Championship, while awaiting the outcome of the FA investigation.
Tonda Eckert (Image: PA)
Timeline of Eckert’s employment at Saints
July 11, 2025 – Saints appointed Eckert, then a coach at Genoa, as the club’s new under-21s head coach. The move was viewed as part of a long-term succession plan overseen by sporting director Spors.
November 3, 2025 – Following the departure of Still, Eckert was placed in interim charge of the first team. Southampton were 21st in the Championship at the time.
November 5, 2025 – Took charge of his first Saints first-team match, away to QPR, with his side winning a scrappy game 2-1 at Loftus Road.
November 2025 – Guided Saints to a string of victories as interim boss, quickly moving the club away from relegation trouble and into promotion contention.
December 5, 2025 – Saints formally appointed Eckert as permanent first-team head coach following his successful interim spell. The club confirmed him as its new long-term leader.
January to April 2026 – Saints surged up the Championship under Eckert, who won multiple Manager of the Month awards and led the club on a lengthy unbeaten run.
April 25, 2026 – Led Saints to the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, where Saints were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Manchester City.
May 12, 2026 – Guided Saints past Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off semi-final, securing a return to Wembley.
May 19, 2026 – Saints were expelled from the Championship play-offs following the spying scandal, ending hopes of promotion despite the team’s on-field success.
Summer 2026 – Remained in charge despite widespread speculation over his future and an ongoing FA investigation into his role in the spying affair.
September 2026 – Continued to lead Southampton’s promotion challenge while awaiting the outcome of FA disciplinary proceedings, citing the outcome of FA disciplinary proceedings.