Tonda Eckert offers humble verdict as Southampton collect another win

Tonda Eckert is thriving in the limelight at the moment, as he continues to stand out as an excellent young manager at Southampton.

It's amazing to think that this is the German's first-ever head coach role in the men's game, having only ever been exposed to the U21s as a main manager for the Saints, alongside being an assistant manager, away from St. Mary's.

The decision to hand him the reins, post the disaster that was Will Still's short-lived reign, continues to look like an inspired masterstroke, as the 33-year-old strives to seal promotion, come the end of the long Championship season.

Eckert is a perfect fit at Southampton

Unlike Still, who never looked comfortable and at home in the St. Mary's dug-out, Eckert has stood out as a perfect fit, ever since he was pushed into the deep-end at Southampton.

The unassuming 33-year-old has just got on with his business quietly, and he has managed to turn the South Coast side into a feared machine.

Indeed, at the time of writing, Southampton are 13 games deep into an unbeaten run in the tiring division, with the South Coast side equal parts gritty and classy, depending on the game in front of them.

Under Still, there was no obvious identity. Under Eckert, on the contrary, every player knows their designated role, with Wrexham bamboozled by Southampton's confidence last time out, as the Red Dragons were ripped to shreds, in a 5-1 defeat.

Yet, wins against Oxford United, Norwich City, and Coventry City, in March, saw the promotion chasers grind out wins by the solitary goal, as the South Coast giants look cut out for any playoff tussles to follow.

Despite all the fanfare surrounding his name at the moment, Eckert remained humble, when giving his post-match thoughts after the emphatic win in Wales.

Eckert's humble dissection of the Wrexham win

Southampton must surely be bracing themselves for interest in Eckert's services this summer, as he has suddenly become a very hot commodity.

No doubt, though, despite all this outside chatter about the German being a top-drawer head coach, the 33-year-old will have his head screwed on, as he goes about replicating Russell Martin to seal promotion up to the Premier League.

He humbly stated, after the convincing victory at the Racecourse Ground, that the exceptional group of players at his disposal is making his job extremely straightforward.

He said: "I think the team is so focused at the very moment, there’s not much that I need to say.

"My job is just to make sure that I prepare them in the best way possible for the games coming up."

Of course, there is a lot more that goes into pre-match preparations, than Eckert is letting on, as he clearly wants his players to take all the praise, instead of it solely resting on his shoulders.

This humble and focused approach should, hopefully, stand the relegated side in good stead to make an instant return to the Premier League, as they take each game as it comes, knowing they have the ability to beat anyone on their day.

Just ask both Arsenal and Wrexham, as Southampton continue to gun for the glory of promotion.