Tonda Eckert sets automatic promotion aim after winning second EFL MOTM award

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert sets automatic promotion aim after matching Frank Lampard and Kieran McKenna with a second Championship MOTM award.

Coventry City were the best Championship team during the first half of the 2025/26 season. Similarly, Southampton have emerged as the best Championship team across the second half of the campaign so far. The Saints’ 15 game unbeaten streak across all competitions is living proof of it.

Well, the catch is Coventry City deservedly got a Championship Player of the Season while Southampton were unfairly denied. The likes of Saints winger Leo Scienza and Finn Azaz can start in any Championship team right now.

They might even walk into a few Premier League starting elevens given their brilliant scoring and assisting form. Southampton boss Tonda Eckert was another victim of the Championship end of season award nominations.

Eckert was snubbed from the 4 manager shortlist for Championship’s Manager of the Season award. Nothing can be done about it, but the EFL has finally given Tonda Eckert the flowers he deserves. Hours ago, the EFL Championship announced the manager of the month winner for March. Surprise, surprise it’s Tonda Eckert again.

Tonda Eckert wins second Championship MOTM award in a row

In their own words, the EFL praised Tonda Eckert noting: “Having lifted Southampton into the play-off picture, Eckert has maintained the hunger and consistency in his side to lead them into the top six with ten points from four unbeaten games, including a statement win at leaders Coventry.”

Southampton fans remember well that Tonda Eckert won the February Championship MOTM award as well. Adding this March MOTM award, it brings his total to two now. Certainly, it’s not bad for a manager who was initially appointed as Southampton’s U21 boss in the summer.

The previous winners of the 2025/26 Championship MOTM include Middlesbrough’s Rob Edwards and Kim Hellberg with one to their name. Coventry City’s Frank Lampard and Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna have both bagged the award twice.

Today, Tonda Eckert has matched both Lampard and McKenna, who are arguably the two best coaches in the second-tier for quite some time now. Next up, Tonda wishes to catch up to Lampard and McKenna in the automatic promotion race as well.

Tonda Eckert sets automatic promotion aim at Southampton

Last month, Finn Azaz said Southampton are eyeing a better finish than just reaching the playoffs. The Saints sealing a top 6 spot just looks like a matter of time now. Getting an automatic promotion is the only way Southampton can better their current season.

Tonda Eckert has set his eyes on it. In his own words, the EFL quoted Tonda Eckert, adding: “We are on the right path, but the message is the same as it was in March. We are still far away from where we want to be. We have to keep pushing.”

Overtaking Coventry City is mathematically impossible, though. Southampton can reach a maximum of 84 points should they win all remaining games while Coventry are already sitting at 84 with 5 matches in hand.

Beating Ipswich Town to the second automatic promotion spot is also tough, but doable for now. Southampton have an away game to play vs Ipswich, and a win there can act as a 6-pointer in the race for second place.

Ipswich have seven games left, and should they manage to acquire less than 12 points then the Saints can have an outside chance. Almost every St. Mary’s faithful knows another playoffs route is on the cards. But there will be some hopeful fans who still believe Tonda Eckert and co can string another fairytale and do the impossible by getting up via autos? Let’s see.