Jack Stephens has had many different managers at Southampton. This includes Mauricio Pochettino, Ralph Hasenhuttl, and Russell Martin. Tonda Eckert is now his current boss, who took over from Will Still mid-way through this season.
Eckert was Southampton's U21s manager, but was installed as caretaker for the first team following Still's sacking. He won four out of five games in interim charge and got the job full-time. Eckert's reign as manager started well, with two wins on the bounce. However, the Saints are now winless in their last six games.
Despite the poor run of form, Stephens has continued to back his manager. The Saint's captain was asked if anything had changed since Eckert got the job full-time.
Stephens' response was quoted by the Southern Daily Echo: "If you asked him that, I think he would be a little bit insulted. If you watch how he is on the training pitch, how he is in meetings, there is no difference from the first meeting to the meeting that we had this morning. They are spot on. The information that he gives us is incredible. The level of detail is as good as I've ever seen. It's really enjoyable to be a part of."
Is Jack Stephens right to continue to back his manager?
Often, caretaker managers do very well, especially as they are brought in during a crisis. Still had won just two of his 13 Championship games in charge of the Saints, and a change was needed. Eckert did well to provide a new manager bounce initially, but the wheels have since fallen off.
Southampton are currently 15th in the Championship and just nine points above the relegation zone. English soccer's second tier is known for being very tight, as the Saints are also just eight points below the playoff places. The way Eckert's side is going, it will be about avoiding dropping down even further right now. Hopes of making the playoffs are vanishing.
This is Eckert's first job as a manager. His only previous roles have been as an assistant, which included working under numerous managers at Genoa and Barnsley. He is only 32, and this role with the Saints may have come too soon for him.
There is no way that Stephens is going to do anything but back his manager in public. However, given their current poor run of form, there will no doubt be question marks in the Southampton dressing room.