Southampton boss Eckert says he received death threats after Spygate scandal

Tonda Eckert says he received death threats and was told by the police not to drive anymore following the Southampton Spygate scandal.

Southampton were kicked out of the Championship play-off final after admitting they spied on rival clubs. They will start the 2026/27 season on -4 points, while Eckert is still awaiting the outcome of a Football Association charge.

The German coach is at the centre of things, after the FA determined the spying on Oxford United, Ipswich and Middlesbrough was a "contrived and determined plan from the top down".

Saints' hierarchy have stuck by Eckert, who remains in charge despite the possibility he could be handed a lengthy touchline ban. The 33-year-old says he was sent supportive messages from "well-known colleagues" in both England and Germany, but the reaction from the public was intense.

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Asked if he received death threats, Eckert told Kicker: "Yes, it could no longer be handled without the police. I do not want to go into details, only this much: I was advised not to drive myself any more, but to sit in the back of the car instead. That was very difficult."

He added: "It was a situation no coaching course prepares you for. No training explains how to react when, for security reasons, you are suddenly supposed to sit in the back seat. As I said, it was very difficult."

The FA charged Eckert with acting in an improper manner, or bringing the game into disrepute. He has been overseeing pre-season preparations in Germany, with Saints targeting promotion back to the Premier League once more, and admits the charge hanging over his head has complicated things.

"I would be lying if I said that it is not in the back of my mind," Eckert told BBC Radio Solent. "I think that's true for everyone involved, but the positive thing is I just love the game. I love football - there's so much to prepare for.

"There's so many things to do in the pre-season with training preparation and a transfer window, and once you lock into whatever is needed at the very moment, that's all that matters.

"It's not that it's constantly on my mind but obviously we'll be happy when the decision comes at one point and until then I just keep my head down, working, and I think the boys are in a good place."

Eckert has insisted he didn't know the EFL rules banning the observation of opponents' training sessions, which he says is common practice in other countries.

"It's tough to read some of the things that are out there, I've held my hand up for this judgement on something I have authorised," he previously told BBC Radio Solent.

"I am responsible and I apologise for bad judgement; we've be in now for a week and there comes a point to look forward and from the first day back in, there's been lots of smiles and a good energy in the place again."