Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert said he is grateful to owner Dragan Solak for backing him after the Spygate scandal. The Enthusiasts were left to wonder whether the accusations were exaggerated, but Eckert was quick to defend his reputation.

Solak, who confirmed in June that he would not sack Eckert, travelled to Germany with the squad for a pre‑season training camp. He stated that he was not "swayed by public opinion" and had seen the situation firsthand before making his decision.

Eckert described the media image as "far away from the truth" and claimed that an inside look would reveal a very different story. He thanked Solak for focusing on what actually happened rather than the narrative.

The coach reiterated his gratitude and said that the owner’s support meant a lot amid the swirling rumors, hoping that the truth will eventually set the record straight.