Eckert wins second successive monthly award
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for the second month in succession.
After claiming February’s prize in just his fourth month as a head coach, the 33-year-old has repeated the feat in March following another unbeaten month.
Eckert led Saints to 10 points from their four league matches, following up a last-gasp draw at West Brom with a statement away victory over runaway leaders Coventry.
Returning home to St Mary’s, Saints defeated Norwich (1-0) and Oxford (2-0) to continue their long unbeaten run, which now stands at 16 games in all competitions.
The German saw off competition from Matt Bloomfield (Oxford), Frank Lampard (Coventry) and James Morrison (West Brom) for the award.
Eckert said: “We spoke about the importance of following up the last good month with another one, so it is very pleasing for us to be winning this award again – this is recognition that we have been able to maintain our standards and consistency, and that we are on the right path. But the message is the same as it was at the start of March: we are still far away from where we want to be. We have to keep pushing together.”
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Daniel Peretz was pipped for the Player of the Month prize by Millwall’s Josh Coburn, who scored three goals in four games in March.
Saints are back in action at St Mary's on Saturday when play-off rivals Derby County are the visitors (3pm BST). Tickets start from £25 for Adults and £15 for Juniors.
