There was something unusually candid in Tonda Eckert’s voice after training this week. When asked about Southampton’s upcoming match with Hull City, he spoke not with guarded caution but with genuine respect. Eckert made it clear he admires Sergej Jakirović and what Hull are building.
Jakirović’s Hull team have a clear style. They attack with purpose. They defend in a low block in a clear structure. There is no deviation.
Eckert talked about identity. He said Hull know who they are and how they want to play. That is not something he takes lightly.
The simple efficiency behind Hull's success
Supporters may roll their eyes at phrases like “clear identity” or “efficient team structure.” Those ideas have become worn from overuse in football talk. But in this case, the words seem to fit. Hull’s approach is not sloppy or unplanned. It is deliberate. It is direct. It works.
Eckert even hinted at the stereotype of German efficiency when he spoke. That phrase is a cliche now. It gets used too quickly and too often. But when Eckert said it, you could tell he was thinking about something real. Hull’s organisation, their work rate, their discipline in both phases of play, these are the qualities Eckert truly covets.
The irony is that Eckert is no stranger to structure himself. His teams have been maligned by their own fans but praised externally for how they defend and how they build from the back. He likes order. He likes roles and patterns and responsibility.
Southampton under Eckert have developed a reputation for being well-drilled, responsive and committed to a plan. In many ways, Eckert demands the same qualities he sees in Hull.
Could Eckert be giving Jakirović's Hull too much respect?
There is a tension there. Admiring identity in an opponent means recognising something you value. But it also means admitting that the other side are doing it well. Eckert’s praise of Jakirović and his Hull players was not cautious or diplomatic. It was open and straightforward. He respects them as a collective.
That respect is significant. Managers often hide their opinions during press conferences, speaking vaguely and giving little away. But Eckert spoke about Hull’s efficiency without flinching. He could have avoided the cliche. Instead, he used it and backed it up.
This match at St Mary’s is still Southampton’s to prepare for and to win. But Eckert’s remarks set the tone. He knows what he is up against. He knows Hull will be organised and direct. He knows they will make life difficult.
Hull arrive with a clear identity. Eckert sees that. He said it himself. Whether that admiration turns into a tactical advantage, will be determined on the pitch. This Saturday, in a way that feels like a genuine test of two managers who both value clarity in how their teams set up and play.