Southampton are currently awaiting the outcome of the Football Association’s investigation against Tonda Eckert.

The German coach has been charged by the FA for his role in the club’s spying controversy at the end of last season.

The 33-year-old faces a suspension from football, but there are several additional alternatives for punishment.

Eckert has received a lot of praise for his performance since taking over the first-team squad last November, but it remains to be seen what ramifications he may face if the Saints are found guilty of breaking the EFL’s regulations against spying on opposing teams.

Tonda Eckert practices a touchline ban.

Southampton has trained for Eckert’s future, including watching games from the stands.

If the coach is issued a touchline ban, he may still be entitled to sit in the stadium during Saints games.

During a pre-season match against Preussen Munster, the 33-year-old sat in the stands rather than his technical area.

Sporting director Johannes Spor stated that the team is exploring all possibilities while awaiting the outcome of the FA probe.”Let’s hope we don’t need it,” Spor told the BBC.

“At the moment I’m honestly very positive looking into the next weeks and we have some ideas in mind.”There were some prior discussions about Tonda seeing one of the pre-season games from above [in the stands], and we need to consider different possibilities like this.”

Tonda Eckert may manage from the stands.

Being barred from the field would be a setback for Eckert, but it is a workable punishment that could result in him keeping his job.

Southampton’s manager will be able to speak with his bench from the stands, delivering tactical instructions and substitution ideas that his coaching staff can carry out.

It is far from ideal, but it is preferable to having to find a new first-team head coach, which may be necessary if he is suspended from football for an extended period of time.

Southampton is currently in a difficult position while waiting for a final ruling, but they are at least making plans for the future.

Tonda Eckert’s ban would be a major blow for Southampton.

Eckert might still be banished from football entirely, as Bev Priestman was punished for a similar circumstance at the 2024 summer Olympics.

She was suspended from football for a year, and if Eckert received the same punishment, he would be unable to attend Saints games.

With the season well begun, it would be a tremendous pain to have to find a temporary solution to this situation, as the Championship side may still wish to keep their guy in the long run.

Middlesbrough will show no sympathy for Tonda Eckert’s situation.

These surveillance revelations originally surfaced ahead of the play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough, and they eventually led to Boro’s victory in the final.

So, while Kim Hellberg and his players may have moved on from the event with the new season started, there will be no sympathy for Eckert and the Saints’ plight.

The two sides will face off in November, and it is unknown whether the German will be in charge of that game at this time.

However, whether Eckert is on the sideline, in the seats, or at home, both of their league matches this season will undoubtedly be charged.