There are a number of reasons to doubt the motives of Sport Republic as they seem to be on the verge of appointing Tonda Eckert as first-team boss.
Following two wins out of two against weak opposition, it has to be said, Eckert is being tipped to be offered an extended run in charge of the first team as interim manager.
The appointment smacks of Sport Republic taking the easy option and appointing cheaply from within again. Like Einstein's definition of insanity “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results” the board have clearly lost the plot.
Southampton fans are united about one thing
Southampton's fans are pretty united about the need for Johannes Spors to appoint a proven manager at Championship level. Several names have been put forward and it seems that Sport Republic may have spoken to some of those already.
Saints fans voiced their opposition to the appointment of Gary O'Neil during the Sheffield Wednesday match and there has been only lukewarm support for Brendan Rodgers and the current interim Tonda Eckert.
Carlos Corberán is at the top of the majority of fans' polls and shortlists. He has managed West Bromwich Albion to the brink of promotion and coached Tom Fellows while he was at the Hawthorns.
Currenty Corberán is unavailable, although he could be on the verge of parting company with Valencia after a poor run of form in La Liga.
Pragmatic option could be the best one
The pragmatic option for Sport Republic is to extend Eckert's interim contract and hope that he can continue to get results while another manager is readied in the background. BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore certainly shares that view.
"What I do think is that after two wins he has a shout," BBC Radio Solent's sport editor Adam Blackmore posted on X.
Just as I was about to share my understanding of the latest #SaintsFc manager situation, someone started saying Eckert has got the job (“expected” is a good guess)
— Adam Blackmore (@AdamBlackmore) November 13, 2025
I don’t think that’s true as things stand - what I do think is that after 2 wins he has a shout, but more likely…
"But it more than likely could depend on the next three-game batch after the international break for which he could well still be in interim charge.
"Saints have spoken to candidates but they can afford to be patient with Eckert's good start and it allows them time to see the market develop so it's highly unlikely anything imminent occurs either way."
If Eckert is handed the role on an extended period, there is no doubting that it is a great opportunity for the German to show what he can do. For Sport Republic it is akin to throwing a child into the deep end to teach them how to swim.
Southampton fans won't give the experiment very long if it looks like it isn't working. Sport Republic will feel the brunt of fan frustration and Tonda Eckert will simply drown and then be forgotten. For such a talented coach who is doing wonders with the under-21s, that would be a dreadful shame.