Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has opened up about the toll that the Spygate scandal has taken on him, describing it as an experience that has fundamentally altered his life.

Eckert, 33, spoke to reporters for the first time since the Football Association handed him a six-week suspended ban and a £28,000 fine for his involvement in the affair. The hearing marked the end of a process that stretched across more than four months of scrutiny.

Southampton were expelled from last season's Championship play-offs in May after the club admitted to spying on training sessions held by Oxford United, Ipswich Town, and Middlesbrough ahead of the play-off semi-final. Despite facing the prospect of a ban that could have cost him his position, Eckert emerged from the FA's investigation without any suspension that would have forced him from the dugout.

The FA had originally sought a three-month ban, but the independent commission reduced that outcome, citing what it described as "considerable mitigation in this matter, most particularly around the genuine contrition" shown by Eckert. The governing body has not yet confirmed whether it will appeal the commission's ruling.

A personal reckoning

"It's tough. It changes your life. If I would say it's been all easy, it's not," Eckert said at Thursday's media conference, held at Southampton's Staplewood training ground.

He spoke candidly about the moment he had to decide whether to continue leading the club's project — a decision he said was first shaped by the backing of the club's owner before becoming a personal one for him to make.

"Once you make that decision, there's no excuses."

Eckert acknowledged that bringing the case to a close was not only a relief for himself, but also for the people closest to him — both in his professional and personal life.

"I am not the one who shares too much from my private life but obviously it does make a big difference that we can draw a line, not just for me but also for the ones close to me," he said. "I'm grateful for the club, I'm grateful for the people close to me to help me throughout some moments that haven't been easy."

Now, the focus shifts to football

Southampton face fierce local rivals Portsmouth on Sunday, and Eckert appeared at ease during the press conference, sharing a laugh with journalists before settling into questions about the match ahead.

The verdict drew widespread criticism online from fans of rival clubs, many of whom felt the punishment fell well short of what the misconduct warranted. Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris had previously told BBC Radio 5 Live that Eckert "should get a ban and a huge ban."

For his part, Eckert is determined to look ahead: "We get back to the performance that we need if we want to play for big goals this season."