Article body analysed
Southampton have climbed from 21st in the Championship table to 14th under Tonda Eckert Tonda Eckert has targeted a promotion challenge after being appointed Southampton's permanent head coach on a contract to 2027. The Championship side have won four of their five games since the 32-year-old German took charge on an interim basis at the start of November. That run has helped the team climb to 14th in the table, five points off the play-off places. "I think that we've had a great start and now it is up to us to continue, " said Eckert. "We go all in; there is no other way. I don't shy away from being ambitious to say that we want to play for promotion, whatever that is going to look like in the end. We will go for every single point there is to take. " Eckert had been Southampton's under-21s head coach and took over the first team when Will Still was sacked after just five months in charge. Southampton, relegated from the Premier League last season, made a poor start to this campaign. But they won their first four games under Eckert, beating QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Leicester, before losing 3-2 at Millwall last Saturday. Southampton technical director Johannes Spors said of Eckert: "His empathy for the playing group and the clarity with which he communicates his ideas have been central to the team's improvement since he took charge. "The great results he has achieved in that time, not just in terms of performances and points, but also in the way he has brought together players and supporters, has shown everyone what he is capable of achieving. " Eckert has never previously had experience as a first-team manager but has been assistant manager at Barnsley and Genoa. ? Time for Eckert to show what he's made of Eckert happy to let Saints' football do the talking Latest Saints coverage Subscribe to the latest news from Southampton FC Get the latest from St Mary's on BBC Sounds, including Goin' Home with Adam and Jo and The Saints Social Latest Southampton news and analysis England start World Cup against Croatia, Scotland to face Brazil 'Never going to be perfect' - Root defends 'jaded' England over drops President Trump wins inaugural Fifa Peace Prize The rise and fall of four powerful civilisations How Skype lost its connection to the world Ridley Scott's masterful epic of betrayal and vengeance Wole Soyinka gives his account of Nigeria's Biafra war Plotting England and Scotland's routes through the World Cup Who are favourites to win the 2026 World Cup? Old and new foes - a look at England's World Cup group Who are the 2026 World Cup debutants? Australia in control of second Test despite late England fightback. Video Australia in control of second Test despite late England fightback How his mother's murder steeled Duncan for UFC's toughest fights 'Never going to be perfect' - Root defends 'jaded' England over drops 'A wonderful miracle' - how Messi & Beckham made Miami shine Memorable O'Sullivan moments as snooker great turns 50 'No more Average Joe as Root century seals all-time great status' 'I'm too driven. .. I never settle for not good enough' - Verstappen in-depth on title race Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week? Trump and Infantino - too close for comfort? What's on Nancy's Celtic to-do list? How abnormal drugs test saved NFL player from cancer Success in 2025 - are the Lionesses ready for 2026? Where F1 title may be won and lost in three-way fight BBC to show Sabalenka v Kyrgios in 'Battle of Sexes' 'A fearless hero for hapless England' - Robin Smith obituary Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.