Former Southampton striker James Beattie believes a new contract for head coach Tonda Eckert should be “high on the agenda” for the club’s hierarchy.
Eckert was handed a suspended six-week ban on Wednesday by a Football Association (FA) independent regulatory commission, and fined £28,000 for his role in the Spygate scandal, meaning he is free to continue as Saints’ head coach.
Beattie, who scored 76 goals in 235 appearances for the club, is hopeful that with the uncertainty now removed around Eckert’s future, it will be followed with a new contract for the German.
The 33-year-old’s present agreement runs until the end of the season. Since he was promoted from Under-21’s coach to become manager in November 2025, Saints have won 30, drawn 11 and lost just nine games.
Eckert’s first game since Wednesday’s judgement will be the South Coast derby against Portsmouth on Sunday (12:00 BST) at St Mary’s.
“I’m sure a new contract is very high on the agenda if not sorted already,” Beattie told BBC Radio Solent.
“I know the club are run very professionally behind the scenes and I’m sure lots of things are in process there before we get to know about it.
“I think this news will be a little shot in the arm for them before the derby, as a player you think that’s one less thing to worry about and it frees you up to focus on the game.
“The lads are human at the end of the day and it would have been playing on their minds a little bit.
“Now it’s been sorted they can look forward, the timing of the decision couldn’t be better and hopefully they can go on and put in a really good performance at St Mary’s.”