Southampton Football Club has officially named Tonda Eckert as their Men's First Team Head Coach, rewarding his successful stint as interim manager with a contract that extends until 2027. The announcement, made on Friday, confirms the 32-year-old's permanent position after he took charge in early November following the dismissal of Will Still.
Eckert, who initially joined Southampton as the Under-21s head coach in June, stepped up to lead the first team during a challenging period. At the time of his appointment, the club was in 21st place in the Championship, having secured only two wins in 13 games. Eckert's impact was immediate and significant. He guided the team to four victories in his first five games, accumulating 12 points out of a possible 15. This impressive run propelled Southampton up the league table to 14th position, bringing them within touching distance of the play-off positions. The team's improved performance under Eckert included wins over Charlton, Leicester, and Sheffield Wednesday. However, they suffered a defeat to Millwall.
Beyond the results, Eckert is credited with uniting the squad and the Southampton supporters through his commitment to an attacking and entertaining style of play. His clear communication, tactical acumen, and ability to connect with both players and fans have been praised by the club's hierarchy and the players themselves. Technical Director Johannes Spors expressed his delight at Eckert's acceptance of the permanent role, highlighting Eckert's empathy and clarity as central to the team's improvement. Spors also noted the positive impact Eckert has had on bringing together the players and supporters. Influential winger Leo Scienza had publicly supported Eckert's appointment, and senior players have emphasized his meticulous preparation and attacking philosophy.
Eckert himself conveyed his pride in representing Southampton, stating, "I'm very proud. It's a very proud feeling to represent this football club. I think that we've had a great start and now it is up to us to continue". He has set his sights high, expressing his ambition for the team to compete for promotion. "We go all in; there is no other way. I don't shy away from being ambitious to say that we want to play for promotion, whatever that is going to look like in the end. We will go for every single point there is to take," Eckert said.
Prior to joining Southampton, Eckert gained experience as a first-team assistant at Genoa in Serie A and held roles at Barnsley. He also has a background in developing young talent at Bayern Munich and RB Salzburg. This diverse experience has equipped him with a blend of technical expertise and adaptability, qualities that Southampton believes are crucial for their ambition to return to the Premier League.
The club had to wait for FA clearance before officially announcing Eckert's appointment. With Eckert now confirmed as the permanent manager, Southampton is looking to build on the momentum gained during his interim period. The immediate focus will be on continuing their climb up the Championship table and solidifying their position as promotion contenders.
