Southampton FC head coach Tonda Eckert says the public’s impression of the club’s Spygate controversy is ‘far from the truth,’ according to BBC Radio Solent. The German manager expressed gratitude for being allowed to continue in his role by the club’s owner, Dragan Solak, despite the controversy that led to the team being expelled from the Championship play-offs in May. The club was found guilty of spying on Middlesbrough during their semi-final clash and on two other occasions, according to the report.

Eckert Faces FA Investigation

Eckert is currently awaiting the outcome of a Football Association investigation after being charged with misconduct for his role in the affair. At a fans’ forum hosted by BBC Radio Solent, he emphasized that the owner did not act on public opinion but rather on the facts of the situation. ‘It means a lot that the owner wasn’t swayed by public opinion but looked at what actually happened,’ Eckert said. Dragan Solak confirmed in June he would not sack Eckert and was pictured with the squad during a pre-season training camp in Germany at the end of last month.

Jay Robinson’s Loan to AC Monza

Southampton FC confirmed that academy player Jay Robinson has joined AC Monza on loan for the 2026/27 season, according to the Daily Echo. The 19-year-old winger has struggled for game time under Tonda Eckert and featured in only two of Saints’ five pre-season friendlies. The loan move gives Robinson an opportunity to develop under former Saints boss Ivan Juric.

Sporting director Johannes Spors discussed the decision at a fans’ forum, saying it was a ‘long discussion’ and not an easy decision. ‘We have responsibility for the development of his career,’ Spors said. ‘He did not really get enough minutes last season, or not the minutes that he needs to really make the next step.’ Spors confirmed that the club had spoken with Juric about the move and that the Italian manager was convinced of Robinson’s potential.

Manchester City Defeats Southampton in FA Cup

Manchester City defeated Southampton FC in the FA Cup, securing a record fourth consecutive appearance in the final, according to a report in Korean. The match was marked by several near-misses for Southampton, including an early goal disallowed for offside. City controlled the game throughout, with midfielder Nico Gonzalez scoring the decisive goal in the final moments to send the team to the FA Cup final. Gonzalez’s goal was described as a ‘wonder goal’ that capped off a dominant performance by Manchester City.

Southampton’s goalkeeper, Daniel Perec, made several key saves to prevent City from scoring earlier in the match. The defeat continued a difficult season for Saints, who were recently expelled from the Championship play-offs due to the Spygate controversy. The club now faces the challenge of rebuilding its reputation and regaining support from fans, who have been critical of the team’s recent actions and decisions.