Johannes Spors says Spygate put him in a difficult spot

Southampton group technical director Johannes Spors said the Spygate scandal put him “in a difficult position” over the summer as the club prepared for the new campaign, according to BBC Sport.

On 19 May, Saints were expelled from the play-offs and docked four points for admitting they had spied on three clubs during the Championship season. That left the future of head coach Tonda Eckert uncertain during the FA investigation, until early October when the FA confirmed a £28,000 fine and a six-week ban suspended until the end of next season.

Spors added that Saints could have sacked Eckert after his May admission, but owner Dragan Solak and the rest of the board chose to stick with him. He said he felt there was only one option: back Eckert despite the uncertainty, and support him personally throughout the summer.