FORMER Saints striker Iain Dowie believes the Spygate controversy will "haunt" boss Tonda Eckert unless he keeps winning in the Championship.
Dowie, 61, insists the German's remarkable record before Saints were booted out of the play-offs is the only reason he remains in post at St Mary's.
Owner Dragan Solak has backed Eckert as his head coach despite authorising spying missions that cost his team the chance at winning promotion.
As long as Eckert is not issued a lengthy ban by the FA, who are investigating the case, he will stand on the touchlines at St Mary's next season.
Dowie, who made 143 appearances for Saints between 1991-1995, having also trained at the Dell as a teenager, thinks results explain the decision.
"Dragan Solak has come out and highlighted the magnificent job Tonda Eckert did there," Dowie said, speaking to Betano Casino.
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"Whatever the controversy was, the job on the pitch was fantastic. I think they felt the punishment was disproportionate.
"Crucially, I think the players really like him. Inevitably, he will be under pressure next year. The club needs to make sure they're in the mix.
"That isn't easy given who is coming down. When those emails or texts came out, he was always going to be under pressure.
"The chairman, the players, and some of the fans might see it as over-eagerness, trying to cover every base.
"Some might call it cheating, others would say it's trying to be clever. I think it’s something that will haunt him for a while, which will be difficult.
"He’ll have to start well. If he doesn’t, things will change. But what he did, turning around a difficult situation and going 21 unbeaten, it’s remarkable.
"That’s the reason he’s still in the post."
