Southampton are preparing for another season in the Championship following their expulsion from the play-offs in a terrible incident.

The Saints were kicked out of the competition after admitting to spying on opposing teams three times during the season, including their semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.

This controversy has proven extremely costly for the Hampshire club, which has missed out on promotion to the Premier League after initially reaching the final, and will also face a four-point deduction at the start of next season.

Tonda Eckert’s side had gone 19 games unbeaten at the end of the regular season, climbing to fourth place in the rankings, ahead of Boro owing to their superior goal difference.

A 2-1 victory over Kim Hellberg’s team guaranteed the club a spot in the final before their expulsion was confirmed, and Hull City eventually won promotion.

Southampton are gearing up for a hectic summer as the fallout from the spying incident continues.

Tonda Eckert divides Southampton’s dressing room.

The future of Eckert has been the subject of much conjecture following Southampton’s elimination from the play-offs, with some players reportedly considering legal action against the club over missed promotion bonuses and wage hikes.

According to the Daily Echo, the dressing room will be crucial in determining whether he will continue to lead the club.

Some players are thought to be unhappy with the circumstances at the club, but others appreciate his coaching abilities.

Solving this schism in the dressing room could be critical, with the Saints hoping to compete for promotion again next season, whoever is in charge.

The 33-year-old might possibly face a ban from football after the Football Association launched an investigation into the incident.

If he is banned from football, he will be unable to remain as manager, but until then, the choice is up to the Championship club.

It has been suggested that Southampton would not rush to make a decision on Eckert’s future as they examine how the players feel.

The club apparently believes the punishment obtained as a result of the spying controversy was not appropriate to the offense committed, which is another element influencing the coach’s destiny.

Eckert took over Southampton in November of last year, following Will Still’s sacking, and he led them from the bottom half of the table to the top six.

The Saints ended only four points behind second-place Ipswich Town, but will now begin the following season with a four-point setback as part of their EFL punishment.

It’s hard to envision Tonda Eckert living in Southampton.

While there’s no denying that Southampton improved dramatically last season when Eckert took over, it’s tough to see him lasting as head coach.

The kind of rage that some players may feel by their ejection from the play-offs could be aimed at the German, making it nearly impossible for them to collaborate again.

Southampton has some time to think things over, so it’s understandable that they haven’t hurried into anything, but it would be quite a U-turn for him to stay after all of this.

If the 33-year-old can mend his connection with all of the players, it will be a significant step toward preserving his job, albeit a ban from the FA would render the decision-making process irrelevant.