Southampton have offered a permanent role to the intern at the centre of their Spygate scandal, talkSPORT understands.
The Saints were disqualified from last season’s Championship play-offs for spying on their opponents Middlesbrough.
An EFL investigation also uncovered similar incidents before matches against Oxford United and Ipswich Town earlier in the season.
As well as being removed from the play-offs, the club were also hit with a four-point deduction from the start of the 2026/27 season.
A subsequent appeal by Southampton was rejected by the EFL.
Meanwhile, the FA have since opened an investigation of their own to determine whether any further charges can be brought against the club.
Their offences came to light after intern Will Salt was pictured filming a Boro training session on the eve of their first leg.
Having been caught, the club attempted to delete images of the intern from the internet.
And in a shock twist, Southampton have now offered the 23-year-old a permanent job within their academy.
Spygate scandal
The written reasons for the EFL’s sanctions revealed the extent of the Saints’ spying on their rivals during the campaign.
WhatsApp messages emerged showing junior members of staff had been encouraged to spy by manager Tonda Eckert.
Of those asked to film opposition training sessions, one had expressed their concerns before the December clash with Oxford.
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A message sent to colleagues by the junior staff member read: “I didn’t really have an option and wasn’t provided an opportunity to say no. I was an intern and was doing what I was told.”
Further concerns were expressed when asked to do so again ahead of a match against Ipswich in April.
Eckert backed
News of Salt being offered a permanent role comes after owner Dragan Solak publicly backed Eckert.
The 33-year-old, who was appointed in December, is currently under contract until next summer.
Solak told BBC Sport in June that his manager ‘deserves a second chance’ and he would not be sacking him.
He added: “My full support would be behind him actually, because I think he’s a super-talented manager.”
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Eckert has won 21 of his 35 matches since being named permanent boss.
His side will begin the new season away to Watford on Sunday, August 16.
