"I hope that over time you can understand and forgive."

Those remarks came from Southampton manager Tonda Eckert in a video message issued by the club's media department on Tuesday, after the Spygate affair resulted in his side's removal from the Championship play-offs.

The 33-year-old accepted "full responsibility" for the violations Southampton acknowledged in the English Football League investigation into spying during three fixtures in the 2025-26 campaign.

Yet he repeated earlier statements that such practices are routine in Germany and Italy, where he previously worked before arriving at Saints as Under-21s manager last summer, and maintained that "none of what has happened made any impact on sporting performance".

In an exclusive discussion with BBC Sport, Southampton owner Dragan Solak indicated his intention to retain Eckert despite the scandal and harm to the club's standing.

The Football Association is still reviewing Eckert's actions, so the outcome may not rest solely with Solak. A charge and guilty finding could lead to a ban from English football.

Even so, if the decision stays with Southampton, does Eckert merit another chance?

Supporters want to see a winning side next season while also repairing the reputational harm from Eckert's conduct.

The EFL probe highlighted that a junior analyst intern caught outside Middlesbrough's training ground had voiced worries about the assignment but faced "extreme pressure" from senior figures including Eckert.

In most workplaces, such pressure on a junior colleague to breach rules would trigger prompt and serious consequences.

Solak told BBC Sport the intern should have protested more forcefully, stating: "I believe that our junior intern felt personally it's wrong, and he didn't feel right for doing this, and I think he should have expressed that stronger."

Solak confirmed he later offered the intern a permanent role at the club.

Still, the handling of the young staff member has prompted questions about the club's environment.

"The club has lacked in terms of leading on the problem, and sorting out their own mess," Tessem adds.

"I hope they have all learned a very harsh lesson. When you've been caught red handed, you need to take responsibility for the situation."

Should Southampton keep Eckert, doubts will persist over whether the club has truly absorbed that lesson.