Southampton group technical director Johannes Spors says the Spygate scandal put him in a "difficult position" over the summer as the club prepared for the new season. In May, Saints were kicked out of the play-offs and deducted four points for admitting they spied on three clubs during the Championship season.
The future of head coach Tonda Eckert was then put into question as a Football Association (FA) investigation took place that could have seen the German coach handed a ban that might have cost him his job. In early October, those fears were eased when the FA announced he would be fined £28,000 and that a six-week ban would be suspended until the end of next season. Saints could have sacked Eckert after he admitted his mistakes, but owner Dragan Solak and the rest of the board gave him a second chance.
"Of course, it did put me into a difficult position," Spors told BBC Radio Solent. "It was something that probably no-one, or at least not many sporting directors have experienced, planning into a season and a squad with that level of uncertainty." He said he felt only one choice and was happy that everyone around him, including Solak, was aligned in backing Eckert.
Spors, appointed group technical director in February 2025, said he focused over the summer on supporting Eckert personally. "We have known each other for nearly 10 years," he said, adding that their relationship is close and includes hard discussions behind closed doors. Saints have started the Championship season well and sit eighth in the table after 11 matches, with the best home record in the league.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing