Southampton's Spygate intern lands permanent job with Saints despite play-off axe
Southampton were kicked out of the Championship play-off final after an intern was caught spying on Middlesbrough - and he's now landed himself a permanent job with the Saints
Southampton have offered a permanent job to Spygate intern Will Salt despite him being part of the saga that saw the Saints kicked out of the play-offs.
Salt made unwanted headlines after he was told by Saints boss Tonda Eckert to spy on several Championship rivals, which included Middlesbrough prior to their play-off semi-final. They won the tie, but were denied the chance to play for a chance to play in the Premier League.
Eckert copped huge criticism and claimed he didn't know spying was an offence in England. Despite the controversy he retained his job at the club after being backed by Southampton owner Dragan Solak.
The Saints boss was reportedly impressed with Salt's work and, despite the backlash, he has been retained by the club and offered a permanent role within the Southampton academy, reports the Daily Mail.
Southampton eventually owned their mistake and admitted Eckert had ordered the spying against Oxford, Ipswich and Middlesbrough. They accepted a punishment, but felt the sanction they were hit with was excessive.
Details of the analysts’ spying were revealed by him using a personal bank card to buy a coffee right next door to Middlesbrough‘s training ground. Despite being Boro it was them who advanced to the play-off final at Wembley, but were beaten by Hull City, who landed promotion despite finishing sixth.
Southampton had been eyeing an immediate return to the Premier League, but were denied the chance after a sensational second half of the season.
Eckert released a lengthy apology video once the Spygate saga saw them expelled from the play-offs, which saw the Saints say: For everything that’s happened, I do want to apologise, and I hold my hand up because as a head coach, I am responsible.
“I am responsible for everything that has happened in this football club. I am responsible for everything that has happened in my coaching staff.”
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