Eckert will be pleased once the FA announces its verdict on Spygate.

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has admitted that the Football Association’s pending decision over the Spygate controversy remains in the back of his mind, although he insists his primary focus continues to be preparing the team for the new campaign.

The German coach is still waiting to learn the outcome after being charged by the FA with misconduct for his role in authorising the observation of rival Championship training sessions during last season. More than a week has now passed since the governing body confirmed the charge, leaving uncertainty over what punishment, if any, may follow.

Southampton start their Championship season at Watford

The controversy has already had significant consequences for Southampton. In May, the club were expelled from the Championship play-offs after admitting that members of staff had observed training sessions involving three rival clubs during the season. The FA later alleged that Eckert had acted improperly and had brought the game into disrepute, prompting disciplinary proceedings against the 33-year-old manager.

Although Southampton owner Dragan Solak publicly backed his head coach in June and stated that he had no intention of dismissing him, there remains uncertainty surrounding Eckert’s future. Should the FA decide to impose a lengthy suspension, the situation could become considerably more complicated for both the club and its manager.

Speaking openly about the ongoing investigation, Eckert acknowledged that the issue has naturally remained in his thoughts while stressing that he has tried not to let it distract him from his day-to-day responsibilities.

He admitted it would be dishonest to claim that the matter never enters his mind, explaining that everyone connected with the club is aware of the situation and is awaiting the final outcome. However, he emphasised that his passion for football has helped him remain focused despite the uncertainty.

According to Eckert, the demands of pre-season preparation leave very little time to dwell on events beyond his control. With training sessions to organise, tactical work to complete, and transfer activity requiring constant attention, he believes there is always another task that needs immediate focus.

Rather than allowing the pending verdict to dominate his thoughts, the Southampton boss said he prefers to concentrate on whatever is directly in front of him each day. He believes maintaining that approach has allowed both himself and the players to continue preparing positively for the challenges that lie ahead.

While acknowledging that everyone at the club will feel relieved once the FA reaches its decision, Eckert insisted there is little benefit in worrying about an outcome that remains unknown. Until the governing body delivers its verdict, he intends to continue working as normal while ensuring his players remain fully prepared for the upcoming campaign.

The Southampton squad are currently completing a pre-season training camp in Germany, where owner Dragan Solak has also been present alongside the players and coaching staff. His appearance with the squad has been viewed as another sign of the club’s continued support for Eckert while disciplinary proceedings remain ongoing.

Preparations for the new season have already included several friendly fixtures. Southampton have faced Eastleigh and German side Eintracht Braunschweig, while also playing a behind-closed-doors match against SC Paderborn during their time in Germany.

The Saints are scheduled to complete their pre-season programme with another friendly against Preussen Munster before returning to England. Their competitive campaign will begin shortly afterwards when they welcome Colchester in the opening round of the Carabao Cup.

Attention will then quickly turn to the Championship, with Southampton beginning their league campaign away to Watford one week later.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the FA investigation, Eckert remains fully committed to leading Southampton back into the Premier League at the first attempt. He believes last season’s achievements, particularly the team’s impressive performances during their FA Cup run, have given the squad valuable confidence heading into the new campaign.

The manager made it clear that automatic promotion is Southampton’s primary objective and believes everyone at the club understands the level of ambition they are working towards. While recognising the strength of the Championship, Eckert insisted his players should not fear the challenge.

He acknowledged that every Championship season brings its own difficulties, with the demanding fixture schedule ensuring that every club experiences setbacks along the way. Maintaining consistency across such a long campaign will therefore be essential if Southampton are to achieve their objectives.

Eckert also pointed out that several strong clubs have dropped into the Championship, making promotion an even tougher challenge. Nevertheless, he believes Southampton should concentrate on their own performances rather than becoming distracted by the quality of their rivals.

Reflecting on last season, the head coach argued that Southampton had already demonstrated their ability to compete successfully against high-quality opposition. Although cup competitions present different circumstances from league football, he believes those performances proved the squad possesses the quality needed to challenge at the top of the division.

For Eckert, the priority is ensuring Southampton rediscover that same level of performance as quickly as possible once the competitive season begins. Building momentum from the opening weeks could prove crucial in what promises to be another fiercely contested Championship campaign.

While the uncertainty surrounding the FA’s verdict continues to cast a shadow over Southampton’s preparations, Eckert is determined not to allow it to derail the club’s ambitions. Instead, he remains focused on improving the squad, guiding his players through pre-season, and preparing them to mount a serious challenge for automatic promotion.

Although the final outcome of the Spygate investigation remains unknown, Southampton’s preparations continue at full speed, with everyone connected to the club hoping the matter will soon be resolved so complete attention can return to football and the pursuit of a return to the Premier League.