Southampton are aiming to tie Tonda Eckert down to a new contract following his FA charge, and sporting director Johannes Spors is optimistic an agreement can be reached, according to The Daily Echo.

Southampton received a huge boost last week when it was revealed that Tonda Eckert had avoided harsh punishment for his role in the Spygate scandal. The German received a six-week suspended sentence and a £28,000 fine from the FA, allowing him to continue in the dugout for the time being.

That prompted calls for the Saints to sign him to a new deal, which sporting director Johannes Spors has acknowledged is in the works, according to The Daily Echo. Spors is sure that an agreement will be reached following earlier discussions with Eckert.

“It is being discussed,” Spors confirmed. “We could not have given Tonda greater support than we did this summer. It works in reverse as well. Our bond within the club is quite solid.

Championship Roundup: More Championships
Wolves team news and predicted XI to face Watford: Adam Armstrong returns.
Bolton Wanderers attacker has found his feet in the Championship, surprising the naysayers.
Former Leicester City manager is suffering in his first position since being fired in 2025/26. “Tonda and I speak every day, and I’ve known his agents for a long time.” I’m pretty optimistic about it. We are gazing into the future with the same eyes, which makes me certain that there will be a decent solution.

“However, because of this, we are not in a rush. We’ll take it step by step. We began and will continue to talk about this in a really positive manner.”

Southampton are making a good move by starting negotiations with Tonda Eckert.
Eckert is only contracted with Southampton until the end of the 2026/27 season. Owner Dragan Solak is eager to ensure his long-term future after supporting the German during the recent saga, and a new contract will help ward off potential suitors.

Eckert was an unknown quantity when he first assumed caretaker duties. The 33-year-old had great coaching credentials from stints with the German national team, RB Leipzig, and Bayern Munich, but little managing experience beyond junior football.

Tonda Eckert’s record as Southampton manager GamesW/D/L/Win%: 51/31/11/9 (60.8%)
He has now reversed the Saints’ fortunes, scoring 17 points in nine Championship outings. If not for the four-point reduction resulting from the Spygate scandal, Southampton would have finished third.

Eckert is repaying Solak’s faith and demonstrating his ability to deliver results despite the controversy. The Southampton owner previously supported his manager during the saga, and securing a long-term contract should now be a top priority.

The Verdict: Despite Spygate, Southampton cannot afford to lose their top coaching talent.

Southampton are in a good place, and now that the Spygate punishments have ended, they can move on. The Saints’ goals remain unchanged, and with Eckert now able to remain in the dugout indefinitely, they are poised for another promotion push.

If Eckert signs a new contract, the club will focus solely on promotion this season. It would also protect the Saints from losing one of Europe’s most promising young coaches and improve their bargaining position if rival clubs come calling.

The early signs for Southampton look promising, with plenty of optimism surrounding the talks. While Spors claims there is no rush, a quick resolution could be beneficial to all parties.