Southampton owner Dragan Solak says the club will not sack head coach Tonda Eckert, despite his role in spying on Championship opponents.Southampton were expelled from the Championship play-off final last month after it emerged a junior analyst had been sent to watch semi-final opponents Middlesbrough train ahead of their meeting in the first leg.An independent commission found Eckert to have authorised a “contrived and determined plan” to spy on opponents in a “deplorable approach”, while on Monday it was revealed that a junior member of staff claimed that Eckert’s demands placed them “under extreme pressure” to act in a way they felt was morally wrong.As well as Middlesbrough, Southampton admitted to spying on Oxford United and Ipswich Town during the regular Championship season, and they will start next term with a four-point penalty.In a video message addressed to fans, posted on club channels, Solak said: “I want to close this chapter and look ahead, look ahead together as one — including Tonda and his staff.“Tonda’s period as head coach has been a success so far. Our form during 2026 has been remarkable, and we believe he is the man to take us forward. As a board, we are fully behind him and together we only have one objective: we want promotion back to the Premier League.“I also want to thank Johannes (Spors, sporting director) and Phil (Parsons, chief executive officer) for their efforts during this difficult time.”