Tonda Eckert Aims for Promotion as Southampton's Permanent Head Coach
Tonda Eckert has set his sights on a promotion challenge following his appointment as Southampton's permanent head coach, a role he will hold until 2027.
The Championship club has experienced a resurgence under the 32-year-old German, winning four of their five matches since he took over on an interim basis at the beginning of November.
This impressive performance has propelled the team to 14th place in the league, just five points shy of the playoff spots.
"I believe we have made a strong start, and now it is crucial that we maintain this momentum," Eckert stated. "We are fully committed; there is no other approach. I am ambitious enough to declare that we aim to compete for promotion, regardless of how that journey unfolds. We will strive for every single point available."
Prior to his promotion, Eckert served as Southampton's under-21 head coach, stepping in for Will Still, who was dismissed after a brief five-month tenure.
Southampton, having been relegated from the Premier League last season, had a rocky start to this campaign. However, they secured victories in their first four matches under Eckert, defeating QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton, and Leicester, before suffering a 3-2 loss against Millwall last Saturday.
Southampton's technical director, Johannes Spors, praised Eckert, stating, "His empathy towards the players and the clarity with which he communicates his ideas have been pivotal to the team's progress since he took the helm. The remarkable results he has achieved—not only in terms of points and performances but also in uniting players and supporters—have demonstrated his capabilities."
Although Eckert has not previously held a first-team management position, he has served as an assistant manager at Barnsley and Genoa.