Championship2 hours ago2 minute read

Southampton Look Ahead After The Spying Scandal That Cost Them Promotion

Southampton are working to put last season's playoff expulsion behind them under manager Tonda Eckert.

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A costly mistake for the Saints

Southampton supporters are trying to move past a painful period. Last season, the team lost its spot in the Championship playoff final after a spying scandal. Hull went on to beat Middlesbrough for promotion instead.

Long time season ticket holder Steve Grant recalled how confident the squad felt before the decision. He said everything was stacked in their favor at the time. YouTube creator Martin Sanders noted that being in the Premier League is where the club needs to be. Now, over 30,000 fans are turning up at St. Mary's again, including for a recent game against QPR, hoping for better results.

How the spying unfolded

Tonda Eckert, the 33 year old German manager, led the Saints from 21st place up to fourth last season. However, the club admitted to three incidents of training ground espionage. In December 2025, they watched Oxford to see their tactical formation. In April, they viewed CCTV footage of an Ipswich practice session.

The biggest incident happened on May 7. Southampton sent analyst William Salt to watch Middlesbrough train before their playoff semifinal first leg. Salt was photographed filming behind a tree while trying to see if Hayden Hackney was fit. Saints won the tie on aggregate, but the EFL overturned the result, denied an appeal, and docked the club four points for the current season.

Apologies and a second chance

Initial public responses from the club downplayed the incident, and officials lied to investigators. But Eckert later released an unscripted video to fans taking full responsibility for his mistake. He faced online threats and safety warnings from police during the fallout.

Owner Dragan Solak and the board spoke with the players, who voted to keep Eckert in charge. Over the summer, Eckert spoke with team staff and met with a psychologist. He also gave Salt a permanent role on his staff after the analyst admitted feeling pressured during the incident.

What it means for the next game

Preston North End vs Southampton (Championship, Sat, 07 Nov): Preston North End win 18%, draw 22%, Southampton win 60%; expected goals 1.04 to 2.04. Our safest pick: Southampton or Draw.