Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert issued an apology on Tuesday for orchestrating the “spygate” scandal, admitting he is responsible for “everything that has happened”.
Saints were thrown out of the Championship play-offs last month after admitting sending a young intern to spy on a Middlesbrough training session.
The English Football League said the south coast club were found guilty of a “deplorable” act of putting pressure on the junior member of staff to spy on Boro.
In a damning verdict, the governing body said Southampton boss Eckert authorised the spying.
The German, 33, has now put out a lengthy video statement on club media, which began: “I will try to be as honest and clear as I can be.
“For everything that has happened, I do want to apologize and I hold my hand up because as head coach I am responsible.
The Serbian media mogul admitted Eckert had made a “mistake”, but was adamant it should not cost a “super-talented manager” his job.
Solak told the news men: “I have to believe, honestly, and I believe Tonda, that he didn’t know it was the rule that he was breaking.”