Tonda Eckert’s time as Southampton boss has flown past.
He first arrived as the under-21s coach, then took on the role of interim head coach when the club desperately needed stability. Will Still had taken the club to the lower reaches of the division before time and patience ran out for the English coach.
With Tonda at the wheel, results improved, and the squad's confidence returned. After a run of four wins in five matches, the board entrusted him with the role on a permanent basis; the team had clearly responded.
Now, Eckert has something else to be proud of.
He has been named the EFL Championship Manager of the Month winner for February.
The 33-year-old guided Saints through an unbeaten month and collected 13 points from five games. It was a run that reignited the club’s play-off push and restored belief among supporters.
The highlight was the thrilling 4-3 comeback victory at Leicester City. Saints also kept clean sheets against Watford and Queens Park Rangers. There was a professional 3-1 win away at Sheffield Wednesday, and a disappointing 1-1 draw at home with Nathan Jones' Charlton Athletic.
It was enough to see Eckert beat Frank Lampard, Philippe Clement and Alex Neil to the award.
Another German coach takes the prize
The last German coach to win the award before Eckert was Daniel Farke, who collected the honour in February 2025. Farke’s work at Leeds United, ultimately guiding Leeds to promotion, earned him the award twice last season.
Another German claimed the award earlier in the 2024-25 season. Danny Röhl won the prize in December 2024 while managing Sheffield Wednesday.
That means three German coaches have received the award in two seasons. It shows how modern coaching ideas from Germany are spreading through the English game.
Saints players also recognised
Southampton’s strong month was not just about the manager.
Léo Scienza was nominated for the EFL Championship Player of the Month after an excellent February. The Brazilian was involved in nine of the Saints’ fourteen goals during the month.
However, the award went to Millwall's Femi Azeez, who contributed six goals during their strong run.
For Eckert though the bigger prize is momentum.
Southampton are pushing hard for the play-offs, and belief is growing. February showed that the team can win games in different ways and that the squad is responding positively to their young coach.
For Eckert, it is recognition that his impact at St Mary’s has finally been properly recognised by the EFL.