Southampton have already been given permission for Tonda Eckert to remain in charge for their upcoming games.
That’s according to Sport 1. They report that the 32-year-old even has a good chance of being given the Southampton job permanently.
They explain that Southampton have already applied for a work visa for Eckert. Southampton wish for him to continue in an interim role after the sacking of Will Still.
According to Sport 1’s information, Southampton have already received this visa ‘for the next few matches’. That means Eckert can remain as manager for the interim.
The situation is a complicated one thanks to English employment law. That is described as ‘extremely complex’, especially in football. Clubs mut provide the authorities with detailed justifications for why they prefer a foreign coach to an English candidate.
Eckert also has a different visa because he had been U23 coach previously. That is why the process has been so lengthy for him to be Southampton’s first-team boss, even on an interim basis.
The manner in which he has stabilised the team in a short time has reportedly surprised Southampton’s management. It is now certain Eckert will lead the team for the next three games. Talks are even underway about a longer-contract.
For now, the focus is on the short-term. And the good news for Southampton is that Eckert has been given a work permit to do so.
