Post by QPR Report on Jun 1, 2009 6:42:33 GMT
The Times
The quintessential middleman – all your questions answeredGary Jacob
Agents come from varied backgrounds, including former players, lawyers, accountants and scouts. Some players use the Professional Footballers’ Association. Some chairmen and managers like to gain popularity with their fans by criticising agents. But clubs use agents to do their dirty work when they want to learn if a player wants to join them or when they want help in selling an unwanted player.
What is the role of an agent?
A good agent should manage a player’s career, including financial planning, and negotiate personal terms and commercial deals on behalf of their player. They may also have to deal with disciplinary issues, brand management and public relations.
Agents also try to broker deals to transfer their players or bring in players from abroad, using relationships with other agents and clubs.
Why do players need an agent?
An agent may be able to negotiate the best contract or move because they know the market and many players do not have the necessary negotiation skills. It would be embarrassing for a player to contact other clubs to seek a move, but an agent is one step removed and has wider contacts. A large percentage of promising players are released by clubs before they reach their 18th birthday and an agent can use his relationships to try to find new clubs.
Do all players have an agent?
No. Some use an accountant or lawyer only to check the final contract, which is more frequent with older players who know their value in the market.
How much are agents paid?
Some receive a commission, usually about 5 per cent, but it can vary, from a player’s contract. Some are paid an additional sum on the transfer of their player or in sponsorship deals. Agents receive a fee for helping to broker deals for overseas players.
How do you become an agent?
You need to pass an exam, held twice a year by the FA, with questions based on Fifa and FA transfer regulations
Lies, lies and more damned lies
Transfer talk has a unique language, so here is a translation of stock phrases said during the window.
Player says
“To be honest, I’ve not even thought about my future.”
Related Links
Kaka deal could net agents £31m
Agent arrested after Downing fraud complaint
What he means
I’ve been pestering my agent hoping for a move.
Player says
"I’m flattered to be linked with them”
What he means
A club have called my agent, so I’m hoping for a deal!
Player says
“I want to stay and fight for my place.”
What he means
The club are trying to sell me, I don’t want to leave and want the fans to be on my side.
Player says
“I’m their player until told otherwise.”
What he means
The club are close to accepting an offer.
Player says
“There’s no way I am leaving this club. I am settled here.”
Lies, lies and more damned lies
Transfer talk has a unique language, so here is a translation of stock phrases said during the window.
Player says
“To be honest, I’ve not even thought about my future.”
What he means
I’ve been pestering my agent hoping for a move.
Player says
"I’m flattered to be linked with them”
What he means
A club have called my agent, so I’m hoping for a deal!
Player says
“I want to stay and fight for my place.”
What he means
The club are trying to sell me, I don’t want to leave and want the fans to be on my side.
Player says
“I’m their player until told otherwise.”
What he means
The club are close to accepting an offer.
Player says
“There’s no way I am leaving this club. I am settled here.”
What he means
A bigger club has shown interest and I want to go.
Player says
“It’s just speculation.”
What he means
I’ve put a story in the media or word has leaked because my agent is trying to obtain me a move, and now I need to deny it to stop fans’ anger.
Club say
“We’ve no intention of selling him.”
Related Links
Kaka deal could net agents £31m
Agent arrested after Downing fraud complaint
What they mean
We are desperate to sell him.
Club say
“We had no interest in him”
What they mean
He wasn’t interested in us.
Club say
“The player’s thinking things through.”
What they mean
He wants to move to a bigger club.
Club say
“We’ve rejected a bid for the player.”
What they mean
He is for sale, but we want more money.
Club say
“He is under contract for the next three years and we fully expect him to honour that agreement.”
What they mean
He wants to leave and we want to maximise the fee or compensation.
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article6401439.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1
The quintessential middleman – all your questions answeredGary Jacob
Agents come from varied backgrounds, including former players, lawyers, accountants and scouts. Some players use the Professional Footballers’ Association. Some chairmen and managers like to gain popularity with their fans by criticising agents. But clubs use agents to do their dirty work when they want to learn if a player wants to join them or when they want help in selling an unwanted player.
What is the role of an agent?
A good agent should manage a player’s career, including financial planning, and negotiate personal terms and commercial deals on behalf of their player. They may also have to deal with disciplinary issues, brand management and public relations.
Agents also try to broker deals to transfer their players or bring in players from abroad, using relationships with other agents and clubs.
Why do players need an agent?
An agent may be able to negotiate the best contract or move because they know the market and many players do not have the necessary negotiation skills. It would be embarrassing for a player to contact other clubs to seek a move, but an agent is one step removed and has wider contacts. A large percentage of promising players are released by clubs before they reach their 18th birthday and an agent can use his relationships to try to find new clubs.
Do all players have an agent?
No. Some use an accountant or lawyer only to check the final contract, which is more frequent with older players who know their value in the market.
How much are agents paid?
Some receive a commission, usually about 5 per cent, but it can vary, from a player’s contract. Some are paid an additional sum on the transfer of their player or in sponsorship deals. Agents receive a fee for helping to broker deals for overseas players.
How do you become an agent?
You need to pass an exam, held twice a year by the FA, with questions based on Fifa and FA transfer regulations
Lies, lies and more damned lies
Transfer talk has a unique language, so here is a translation of stock phrases said during the window.
Player says
“To be honest, I’ve not even thought about my future.”
Related Links
Kaka deal could net agents £31m
Agent arrested after Downing fraud complaint
What he means
I’ve been pestering my agent hoping for a move.
Player says
"I’m flattered to be linked with them”
What he means
A club have called my agent, so I’m hoping for a deal!
Player says
“I want to stay and fight for my place.”
What he means
The club are trying to sell me, I don’t want to leave and want the fans to be on my side.
Player says
“I’m their player until told otherwise.”
What he means
The club are close to accepting an offer.
Player says
“There’s no way I am leaving this club. I am settled here.”
Lies, lies and more damned lies
Transfer talk has a unique language, so here is a translation of stock phrases said during the window.
Player says
“To be honest, I’ve not even thought about my future.”
What he means
I’ve been pestering my agent hoping for a move.
Player says
"I’m flattered to be linked with them”
What he means
A club have called my agent, so I’m hoping for a deal!
Player says
“I want to stay and fight for my place.”
What he means
The club are trying to sell me, I don’t want to leave and want the fans to be on my side.
Player says
“I’m their player until told otherwise.”
What he means
The club are close to accepting an offer.
Player says
“There’s no way I am leaving this club. I am settled here.”
What he means
A bigger club has shown interest and I want to go.
Player says
“It’s just speculation.”
What he means
I’ve put a story in the media or word has leaked because my agent is trying to obtain me a move, and now I need to deny it to stop fans’ anger.
Club say
“We’ve no intention of selling him.”
Related Links
Kaka deal could net agents £31m
Agent arrested after Downing fraud complaint
What they mean
We are desperate to sell him.
Club say
“We had no interest in him”
What they mean
He wasn’t interested in us.
Club say
“The player’s thinking things through.”
What they mean
He wants to move to a bigger club.
Club say
“We’ve rejected a bid for the player.”
What they mean
He is for sale, but we want more money.
Club say
“He is under contract for the next three years and we fully expect him to honour that agreement.”
What they mean
He wants to leave and we want to maximise the fee or compensation.
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article6401439.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1
