'It's changed my life' - Eckert on Spygate scandal
Tonda Eckert said Spygate had "changed my life" at a media conference at Southampton's Staplewood training ground on Thursday, his first public appearance since the Football Association imposed a six-week suspended ban and a £28,000 fine. He spoke as Southampton seek to move on from the scandal ahead of upcoming fixtures.
Tonda Eckert has won 30 of his 50 games in charge of Southampton. Saints were expelled from the Championship play-offs in May after admitting spying on training sessions involving Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough before the play-off semi-final, and the FA investigation into Eckert's conduct lasted for more than four months. The FA had proposed a three-month ban but the independent commission gave credit to him for what they called "considerable mitigation in this matter, most particularly around the genuine contrition", resulting in the suspended six-week sanction and the £28,000 fine. The governing body is still yet to confirm if it will appeal the independent commission's ruling.
Addressing the media, Eckert said: "It's tough. It changes your life. If I would say it's been all easy, it's not," and added: "But you have to find a way. You have to come to a conclusion at one point in the summer of how you want to continue." He also reflected on the decision process, saying: "That first decision [public backing from the owner] was not for me but for the club. And at that very moment, then it's for me to see if I have the energy to be the right one to bring that project forward. "Once you make that decision, there's no excuses."
Eckert appeared relaxed during Thursday's press conference, sharing a joke with reporters before answering questions at Staplewood. When asked about the kind of atmosphere he expected for the next game, "a grin broke out on his face" as he responded.
Although Wednesday's ruling was described as a positive outcome for Southampton and Eckert, the decision prompted significant negative reaction online from supporters of other sides. Before the verdict, Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris told BBC Radio 5 Live that the Saints head coach "should get a ban and a huge ban".
Eckert said the end of the case was not only a relief for him but also for those close to him: "It's not just good for me [that it's over]." He added: "I am not the one who shares too much from my private life but obviously it does make a big difference that we can draw a line, not just for me but also for the ones close to me," and said: "I'm grateful for the club, I'm grateful for the people close to me to help me throughout some moments that haven't been easy."
He concluded the press conference by stressing a return to on-field objectives: "And you just come to the moment now luckily where it's done and for us to look forward and that we get back to the performance that we need if we want to play for big goals this season." Saints face bitter rivals Portsmouth on Sunday (12:00 BST).
