Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Thu 28 May 2026 7:45, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Tonda Eckert could attempt to take Southampton‘s owners down with him should the manager be sacked for his role in Spygate.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who has argued that the Saints boss could throw the hierarchy under the bus had they played a role.

Hull City eventually won promotion to the Premier League at Wembley, beating Middlesbrough, who had replaced Southampton, in the Championship play-off final due to their spying tactics in the previous round.

There are rumours that Southampton could sack Eckert after the manager sent an intern to spy on Boro ahead of their semi-final play-off first leg at the Riverside Stadium, but the drama is unlikely to end there.

Tonda Eckert could drag Southampton owners down with him

It is unknown exactly who was involved in the situation, but reports have suggested that the manager has taken full responsibility and has already apologised for breaking the EFL’s laws by spying.

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – is worried that the owners are also involved.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness said: “I am very surprised. It will obviously be an employment law situation. We’re also not aware of the actual evidence.

“There’s been talk about texts and messages from him going all the way down to the analysts. We don’t know if those are true or whether they’re made up. If they are true, then of course he should be gone.

“I’m afraid it’ll be difficult for him. I know the argument that, throughout Europe, these things are accepted, but I’m afraid it is not accepted in the English game. And therefore, I’m afraid he may have to pay the penalty.

“It will all depend on the evidence and how that stacks up in terms of employment law and the ability to sack him. Could it have gone further? Could it be the owners as well? And is he threatening that sort of situation to say, ‘It wasn’t just me, I’ve got proof that people above me knew as well’?

“All those things will come out, and that’s probably one of the reasons that everybody’s got to be very clear on the facts because there will be employment ramifications there in terms of lawsuits. It’s a difficult one, but you’ve got to say they’ve brought it on themselves.”

The PFA could get involved on behalf of Saints stars

After being booted out of the Championship play-offs and being handed a four-point deduction ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, Mick Brown told Football Insider that the PFA are set to be involved.

The players have missed out on bonuses due to their manager’s actions, and this could result in multiple stars taking legal action, as well as possibly eyeing moves away from St Mary’s Stadium.

Any decisions are likely to be made after the FA’s probe into the situation, and given that the Saints have already been punished, the drama is unlikely to stop any time soon.

The club have admitted to spying on Oxford United and Ipswich as well as Boro, so the punishments could become even more severe, and all fingers are currently being pointed at Eckert in the fallout.