Southampton have officially announced that 32-year-old German coach Toda Ekert will take over as head coach of the men's first team on a contract until 2027.

Eckert made a quick change after temporarily taking over in early November, winning four out of five games and taking 12 points, which helped the team rebound strongly from a slump and stop falling in the Championship standings.

In an interview following his appointment, Ekert revealed that when he first took over, the team was ranked 21st and clearly needed a fresh start. He emphasized that the team's recent resurgence stemmed from a key factor: everyone working together as one.

“I knew then that we had to bounce back and bring new energy to the players and staff,” Eckert said. “I think we have a very good group of players, but first and foremost, we have a great group of people. Team spirit will always be a strength, and we have to make sure we can translate that strength into ambition on the field.”

Ekert also made it clear that the team's goal is to secure promotion. He said, "We will give it our all, there is no other way. I will not shy away from our ambition, we just want to fight for promotion. No matter what the final outcome is, we will fight for every point we can get."

Despite recent injuries to the team, Ekert pointed out that managing the squad and maintaining unity are his continued priorities. He also revealed that the team will remain open during the January transfer window to ensure that reinforcements can be made if necessary.

With his official appointment now in charge, Eckert expects the team to continue its recent positive performance under his leadership, laying a more solid foundation for the season's goals.