Tonda Eckert, Southampton’s head coach, has argued that certain media coverage of the Spygate scandal has been wrong.

After finishing fourth in the Championship last season, Southampton advanced to the play-off final with a 2-1 aggregate victory against Middlesbrough in their semi-final match, but it was far from the end of the story.

Tonda Eckert faces a stressful wait in Southampton as the Spygate controversy intensifies.

Ahead of the semi-final first leg at the Riverside Stadium, Southampton dispatched an intern to watch Middlesbrough’s training session.

In addition to the Borough surveillance operation, the Saints acknowledged to spying on two other opponents, Oxford United and Ipswich Town, during the regular season, which resulted in the club being eliminated from the play-off final and receiving a four-point deduction for the following season.

While Southampton owner Dragan Solak has given Eckert his entire support, the 33-year-old was charged with wrongdoing by the FA following their probe into the Spygate controversy, and some reports claim he could face a six-month suspension.

Eckert admitted last week that the prospective punishment is “in the back of my mind” as he watched his team’s recent pre-season friendly against German side Preussen Münster from the stands in anticipation of a probable touchline suspension.

However, Eckert is yet to face any sanctions, and he will take command of Southampton when they go to League Two club Colchester United in the EFL Cup first round on Saturday, with their Championship season beginning at Watford next weekend.

Tonda Eckert’s record as the Southampton head coach

Games

40

Won 25

Drawn

8 Lost

7

Win percentage

62.5%

Tonda Eckert blasts Spygate lies after Dragan Solak’s accusation

Eckert apologised for his role in Spygate, but also criticised inaccurate media coverage and commended Solak for not sacking him despite external pressure.”The owner has the right to take consequences,” Eckert stated at a BBC Radio Solent fans discussion.At the moment, it would have been appropriate for me to accept that they would take a different path.”

“There has been a lot out in the media and I haven’t done a lot of interviews,” Eckert continued. “”I believe there is a false image created.”If you glance beyond the curtain, you’ll notice a significant difference. The owner’s refusal to be persuaded by popular opinion and instead consider the facts is significant.He [Solak] has made his decision, and I am grateful for that.

Dragan Solak should be applauded for their robust Tonda Eckert, Southampton position.

With the FA accusations still looming, it’s unclear whether Eckert will stay in command of Southampton, but even if the decision is eventually taken away from him, Solak has demonstrated strong and decisive leadership this summer.

Solak gave Eckert his clear and unequivocal support in early June, putting an end to rumours regarding his likely dismissal, and this has allowed the Saints to adequately prepare for the forthcoming season, including completing a number of trade agreements.

Some will argue that Southampton has already been punished enough for Spygate by being knocked out of the play-off final and receiving a four-point deduction, while others will argue that Eckert deserves an individual punishment, and we may not have to wait long to find out whether there will be any further consequences.