ChristopheVAFC

It's about time Boro's fans looked at their own club first and demanded accountability for their two humiliating playoff defeats against us and Hull City. I'm not sure they'll have such a good league season next year. Their supporters should focus their efforts on their own club instead of constantly venting their hatred towards us.

I admit I'm bending the rules a bit with the translator, but I put a lot of heart into my answers. 😅 As for Boro, he should focus on building a team next year instead of constantly spewing hatred at our team. COYS !!

Now that Tonda's position on the bench seems secure for next season, I think the management should expect hostility from opposing fans throughout the season. I believe this negative energy will be an additional source of motivation that could lead to winning as many matches as possible on the pitch. We will have to respond to the criticism and attacks on the field, and the sooner we start winning matches, the sooner the negativity will subside.

Hello everyone. So, this morning, Dragan spoke out, and it was important for him to do so in order to answer the questions many of us have. As expected, Tonda retains the confidence of the board and, barring any FA sanctions, will be the Saints' manager next year. I think that despite the situation, it's a good decision because I also believe Tonda remains the club's best chance of returning to the Premier League next year. He knows the club, had an excellent second half of the season, and even did better than Russell, I think. Keeping him saves time because he understands the squad's needs for next year. Next year, however, the board will need to implement monitoring tools to prevent this kind of thing from happening again. The integrity of the club is now at stake. I certainly hope this affair won't have repercussions on Sport Republic's investments in Goztepe and Valenciennes, as they'll need to make up for the financial losses in Southampton. We must be vigilant, because money is the lifeblood of any club, especially regarding the club's sponsors, who represent a significant source of revenue. Now, what will the team be like next year? The work begins now... For the fans, the hardest part will be regaining their trust; it will take time, a lot of time... Best of luck to everyone.

So, to summarize: - DS also found out at the same time as everyone else and must have been furious. - PP learned about the espionage on the day of the photo and tried to calm things down during the first leg with the Boro management, without success. - WS went there, voluntarily or by force? Only the internal investigation will tell; it seems he's a pawn sacrificed in this whole affair. - TE wasn't aware that it was forbidden in England. This version is certainly possible, but he would still have approved the project. Why didn't he take the time to think about it and consult the competition rules? I do have questions about the entire video review unit, though. I imagine some people in that department have been there for several seasons and must know what's allowed and what isn't. I'll say it again, and I think that ultimately the club really needs to take the time to get to the bottom of this, establish everyone's responsibilities, and impose the necessary sanctions on a case-by-case basis. I would much rather the club communicate in mid-June than now, while the investigation is still ongoing. I understand you, and I know you'd like answers to your questions. I would feel the same way if this had happened in Valenciennes. What do you think, friends?

Thanks for the additional information, @Holmes_and_Watson my friend. I'm always a fan of my club, and it's great to see. Sport Republic announced a few months ago that they wanted to invest a little less in the club, without completely cutting back, of course. They want to spend wisely and not just any old way. Besides, not being promoted hasn't exactly helped Dragan's finances, haha. They are still making an effort at the moment, though, by replacing the pitch. They've already done the one at the training center, and they're currently working on the one at the Stade du Hainaut. Next week, they'll do the one for the reserve team, which is also located at the club's training center. As for building the team for next season, I think the idea is to recruit "smartly" by looking for players with a lot of potential at a low cost. Recruiting players from the fourth and third divisions, like Ekra, Zogba, and Lebouath, is proof of that. I also expect contract extensions. I know that Passi, for example, whom our interim coach, Pierre Blois, greatly appreciated, could stay for another season. As for the rest, I have confidence in Jean Christophe Cestos and Johannes Spors to build a team that, initially, will need to gel well on the pitch. The players will need to develop a good understanding quickly to save time. Regarding the coach, Mr. Pierre Blois, our French Tonda, would like to stay, but he doesn't have the required coaching license for Ligue 3. The club is currently looking for solutions; this is a developing situation. Have a good Sunday, everyone.

I’ve seen Arsenal lose twice this season – the first time at St Mary’s in the FA Cup and the second time tonight on TV. 😅😅

He was really well-liked and appreciated here in Valenciennes, truly. I really liked the energy he put in on the pitch, his determination; he really wasn’t afraid to get stuck in against opponents and often even prevented the goalkeeper from clearing the ball. I do think, however, that he’s not far off securing a place in your team; he needs to build up quite a bit more muscle mass as he’s likely to be given a hard time next season. Personally, I would have liked him to stay at Valenciennes next year. I sincerely wish him all the best. He’s a lovely person.

My friend, that’s precisely the question mark hanging over Tonda; the FA’s investigation could turn things on their head and see Tonda banned for 18 months from sitting on a football dugout, which would allow them to show everyone that the governing body won’t be doing anyone any favours. Even though the prevailing view among the Saints’ supporters is that Tonda should stay on, it remains to be seen what will happen in the coming weeks. We’ll also need to keep an eye on the decision by the board and the club’s management, as they wrote in the statement: “But it is clear that trust must now be rebuilt. This work begins immediately. The club will reflect carefully on the events that have led up to this point, learn from them and take the necessary steps to move forward responsibly.” You are right to take all this in your stride; the damage is done and it is now time to move on for the sake of your club’s great history.

As the days go by, I'm increasingly convinced Tonda has a chance of staying next season despite the controversy. His record speaks for itself; he's managed to bring a new dynamic to the team. Today, the press is reporting that the majority of players want him to stay, and I've also read that Tonda is now highly sought after in other countries, where clubs would be ready to sign him if he were dismissed. One thing to watch is the FA investigation, which could potentially jeopardize Tonda's position on the bench. If I had to give my prediction today: 60% chance he stays and 40% chance he leaves. To be continued!

Good evening, friends ! Here's some news from Valenciennes. The season ended two weeks ago, and the professional team is already in the planning stages, with several departures already confirmed: They are staying (or perhaps not): GK - Jean LOUCHET (contract ends in 2027) GK - Justin LACOMBE (contract end date unknown) D - Bryan PASSI (strong chance of contract extension) D - Loik LANDRE (contract ends in 2027) D - Abdelwahed WAHIB (contract end date unknown) D - Sakhalou NIAKATE (contract end date unknown) D - Ahmed DIOMANDE (contract extension possible) D - Erin AIRHIAVBERE (contract end date unknown) D - Derrick ABU (new loan possible?) M - Mabrouk ROUAI (contract ends in 2027) M - Thibault MARECHAL (recent first professional contract) M - Quentin DAUBIN (contract end date unknown) M - Samir BELLOUMOU (Contract end date unknown) M - Daou DIOMANDE (Contract end date unknown) F - Alain IPIELE (Contract end date unknown) F - Charles ABI (Contract ends in 2027) F - Gaetan COURTET (Contract ends in 2027) F - Kylian KOUAKOU (Contract end date unknown) Official departures: - Rento TAKAOTA (Rehabilitation in Japan, then return to Southampton) - Romain THOMAS (Retirement) - Alexandre COEFF (Contract ends) - Ylan EL HADARY (Return from loan to Paris FC) - Alexi KOUM (Return from loan to Olympique de Marseille) - Streddair APPUAH (Return from loan to Palermo FC) - Samy BAGHDADI (Permanent transfer to FC Sochaux) - Rémy BOISSIER (Contract ends) - Jules COLLET (Contract ends) New signings: (3 new player actually) -> Maël ZOGBA He is VAFC's first signing for the 2026/27 season! Aged 26, Maël Zogba signed a contract until 2028 (with an option for an additional year) this Thursday with the Hainaut club. Trained at AJ Auxerre, this 1.88m (6'2") central defender continued his development in National 2 with Saint-Priest and then with Goal FC. In 2021, he joined Chambly in the National league, where he signed his first professional contract. After stints at Alès (National 2) and Épinal (National), Zogba signed with Le Puy-en-Velay in June 2024, who were then playing in National 2. This marked the beginning of a great adventure with the club from Le Puy, with whom he achieved promotion to National and then finished 7th in the league this season. A starter in all 32 league matches, the central defender was one of the key players in Le Puy's successful season. This performance caught the eye of Valenciennes FC (VAFC) as they sought to bolster their defense. Welcome to VA, Maël! Maël Zogba, VAFC's new signing: "My decision was easy because I liked the project right away. I felt the sporting coordinator was keen to sign me. I'm a player who enjoys physical duels. My strengths are reading the game and passing ability. The goal is to start the season well and have a great campaign. We'll set our objectives in due course." Jean-Christophe Cesto, VAFC's sporting coordinator: "We needed a defender like him in the squad because of his height and aerial presence. He's an extremely reliable player who played all 32 of Le Puy's matches this season." Maël is also a leader who is at the right age. He has maturity. Even though he is still young, he already has a wealth of experience that we consider to be valuable experience. -> Rayane EKRA This is Valenciennes FC's first attacking reinforcement for next season. With 14 goals (and 3 assists), Rayane Ekra finished as the top scorer in Group H of National 3 last season while playing for Alès (3rd in the standings). A remarkable achievement for the 22-year-old right winger, who signed with Valenciennes FC on Tuesday. Originally from Saint-Brieuc, Rayane Ekra began playing football at Croix Saint-Lambert before continuing his development at Stade Briochin until the U14 level. The striker then joined the En Avant Guingamp youth academy before moving to Spain, where he joined SD Ponferradina's U19 team in 2021. In 2023, he returned to France and signed a one-year contract with Bourges (National 2) before moving to Alès, where he has just completed two impressive seasons. By joining Ligue 3, Ekra is now poised to take the next step in his career. Welcome to VA, Rayane! Rayane Ekra, new VAFC signing: “I chose to come to Valenciennes because I immediately felt a genuine interest from the club. Their approach to me played a significant role in my decision. The project they presented resonated with me, and joining a club with such a rich history is naturally motivating and rewarding for a player. I'm an attacking player, capable of playing in several attacking positions. My preferred position remains winger, where I can utilize my speed, my directness, and my ability to create opportunities in one-on-one situations. I enjoy creating chances, posing a threat, and contributing to the team offensively, whether through goals or assists.” “ Jean-Christophe Cesto, VAFC sporting coordinator: “Rayane is a player we quickly identified because we were looking for explosiveness, speed, and the ability to drive forward and beat defenders. We saw absolutely everything he possesses during his season in the National 3 league, where he scored goals and made a real impact. He’s also a player who creates chaos in opposing defenses. It’s for all these reasons that we went after him.” -> Salif LEBOUATH A third signing arrives at VAFC! After Maël Zogba and Rayane Ekra, it's Salif Lebouath's turn to join the Red and Whites. The 24-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Hainaut club on Thursday. Arriving from Pau, where he played nine Ligue 2 matches last season, Salif Lebouath is capable of playing in any position on the right side (full-back, wing-back, winger). Originally from Toulouse, this versatile player has an atypical career path. After honing his skills at various amateur clubs in his region (Quint-Fonsegrives, Balma, Toulouse Fontaines, Colomiers) and without going through a formal youth academy, he patiently climbed the ranks from Régionale 3 to Ligue 2, which he reached when he joined Pau in 2024 at the age of 22. This experience has given him the mental strength to take on a new challenge! Welcome to VA, Salif! Salif Lebouath, new VAFC signing: “I joined VAFC because I really liked the project they presented to me. And then the stadium and the club convinced me. Valenciennes appeals to me because it’s a historic club that I’m eager to discover. I’m a versatile, dynamic, and fast player who makes a lot of runs in behind the defense. I’m also athletic and technically gifted. I hope to get playing time, enjoy myself with my teammates, win as many matches as possible, and reignite the passion that VAFC has for us.” Jean-Christophe Cesto, VAFC sporting coordinator: “Salif is a young man with quite impressive athletic qualities. He’s very fast, powerful, and capable of playing in several positions on the right wing. His versatility is a real asset. He also has a career path that we admire, a path marked by obstacles because he had to work hard and fight to get where he is today. These are the values we’re aiming for next season.” He's a lad who will bring us mental strength and determination. We make it a point of honor to recruit lads who will fit this mindset. Good evening everyone !

This is the press article relayed by JustSaint: Southampton stars want Tonda Eckert to STAY despite Spygate costing club £215m – but he still could be sacked or banned Justin Allen , Chief EFL Writer Published: 12:31, 29 May 2026 Updated: 12:45, 29 May 2026 SOUTHAMPTON players want Tonda Eckert to stay on as manager despite the Spygate saga costing them Premier League football. The 33-year-old German boss led the Saints to a 21-game unbeaten run but the club were expelled from the play-off final after a club analyst was caught spying on a Middlesbrough training session. It also emerged the south coast team had snooped on Ipswich and Oxford. Boro, who they beat in the semi-finals, were reinstated to the play-off final where they were beaten by Hull. Sources have revealed to SunSport that the majority of the Southampton squad gave Eckert their backing at a team meeting held last week at the training ground. One Saints insider said: “Most of the squad have given Tonda an overwhelmingly positive reaction despite what happened. “Not everyone was completely happy, of course, but the majority of them believe keeping Tonda as manager gives them the best possible chance of getting promoted to the Premier League next season.” But Eckert’s future remains uncertain. Southampton bigwigs are yet to decide whether they want him to remain — and could yet sack him. The German also faces potential FA charges, which could even see him banned from coaching for 18 months. He admitted breaking EFL regulations – but maintains he did not know football espionage was against the rules in this country as the practice is widespread across Europe where he has previously worked. SunSport understands that Eckert did not personally initiate the controversial spying plan — but was aware and authorised it due to his ignorance of the EFL rules. Southampton fans have been in uproar and the club reached out to them with a statement last week — insisting they will repair broken trust. Club chiefs are furious because promotion would have landed them a £215MILLION windfall. Saints chief said in their statement: “Southampton Football Club has a proud history and strong foundations, but it is clear that trust now needs to be rebuilt. That work begins immediately “The club will reflect carefully on the events that have led to this point, learn from them and take the necessary steps to move forward responsibly. “While [this] is a painful moment, this football club will respond with humility, accountability and determination to put things right.”

I completely agree with your analysis; given that nobody is communicating – whether it’s PP, TE or DS – everyone remains in the dark and there are no answers to the many questions that Southampton fans and supporters are asking themselves today. Is it perhaps wiser to take one’s time before communicating, to take the time to assign responsibility to those concerned? I imagine the internal investigation won’t be completed in a matter of days... I also had the honour of meeting PP on my first visit two years ago; he came to meet me in front of the Ted statue, and I have a lot of respect for him, and I have no doubt that he does his utmost for the club on a daily basis. I think he would have genuinely preferred there to be no scandal, even if it meant losing to Boro fair and square on the pitch... Although, of course, that’s the sort of match you really don’t want to lose...

I think PP fulfilled his role as the club’s CEO when he was made aware of the matter; I think at first he was very surprised and also very angry, just as DS later was. I think he also quickly realised that this affair was going to have serious consequences for the club, and I think that is why he, on the one hand, spoke to Gibson in a completely transparent manner, and subsequently offered his full cooperation to the EFL. Was he right to do all that? Did he think, as the saying goes, that ‘a fault confessed is half forgiven’? It’s difficult to re-write history today... I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes today, trying to find the words and solutions to reassure everyone (supporters, players, sponsors, staff, volunteers, institutions, etc.)

If you look at his track record, Tonda is obviously the bookies’ favourite... But there have been some things he’s been behind that aren’t exactly glorious, and that could seriously tip the balance... Ultimately, it’s very difficult to say whether Tonda can stay or whether he’ll leave... Give him a second chance or sack him for gross misconduct – that is the question...