'It hurts' - Saints boss Eckert on Spygate judgement

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert admits it has been "tough to read" judgement about his role in the 'Spygate' scandal that took place before the club were kicked out of the Championship play-offs last season.

Saints were expelled from the play-offs in mid-May after admitting they spied on three clubs during the campaign.

Middlesbrough, who they beat over two legs in the play-off semi-final, were then reinstated to the play-off final and went on to lose to Hull City.

The EFL charged Saints with watching training sessions involving Oxford United and Ipswich Town, in addition to filming Middlesbrough as they prepared for the first leg of their play-off semi-final.

Alongside last season's punishment, Eckert's side will start the new season in the Championship on minus-four points.

"It hurts for a number of different reasons," the German told BBC Radio Solent.

"It's tough to read some of the things that are out there, I've held my hand up for this judgement on something I have authorised.

"I am responsible and I apologise for bad judgement; we've be in now for a week and there comes a point to look forward and from the first day back in, there's been lots of smiles and a good energy in the place again."

The club held a meeting with all the players and staff immediately after their expulsion from the play-offs, before they headed off for their summer breaks.

Eckert admits that was a difficult time. "You can't expect to come into a standing ovation, I think that's very real," he said. "There's so many emotions that come out, that you need to channel for yourselves.

"We've had a long break now, and it's different for everyone. For some putting last season behind them can take a couple of days, for others a little longer.".

Southampton remain the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Football Association, which has been taking place for over a month.

The FA continues to look into Saints' conduct after Spygate, looking into who participated in the spying and assessing the culpability of those who knew it was happening.

The English Football League, which brought the charges against Southampton, can only take action against its member clubs but the FA could punish individuals and hand out bans.

Eckert says his staff must carry on as normal preparing for the new season.

"I felt it was a very professional process from the FA, taking time to ask questions and listen to my version of events.

"Now all there is to do is wait for the outcome. I can't further influence how it will be, but there is so much else to do, to get the players ready to go again.

"If you look at the next season there is also that to be excited about.

"Now it's down to us and to me to keep giving excitement in the way we play football and keep winning football matches.

"At the same time, we can't expect we can just do the same things again and get the same output. It doesn't work like that."

Despite the ongoing investigation by the FA, Southampton continue to look forward as they prepare for the upcoming Championship season.

Saints owner Dragan Solak has already defended the head coach and said he will not sack Eckert.

In an interview to the club's media channels, he said he felt Eckert deserved another chance and fully supports the German coach.

"Its a very big commitment from him," said Eckert, who said the owner's backing was "humbling and massive". "It always shows in the tough moments - with your players, the staff at the training ground, the ownership and the board.

"It takes some reflection on how you want to move forward with the club. He's taken a very quick decision and for me I think that is based on the bond and the trust we have created."

The whole Spygate scandal has prompted a huge backlash from many outside the club, with Kim Hellberg, the manager of Middlesbrough - their play-off semi-final opponents - saying every club in the Championship "should be angry".

Eckert believes the forthcoming season is going to be a challenging one for everyone at the club and their supporters.

"On the inside and together with the fans we need to be stronger than ever, that's the reality," he added.

"On the pitch, we need to become better in certain areas and that's what pre-season is there for, and be strong for Watford in the first game.

"In the end we just need to show it all again. In the end no-one (at the club) cares too much about what has happened in the past.

"Nothing is as far away as the last game. That's what we always said as soon as the season started, and its exactly the same now".

Southampton's opening Championship fixture is away to Watford on 16 August.