Agents

[out0lunch]

Do they look after themselves or their clients?
Beginning to wonder after recent goings on at the Alex

Thoughts?

[AmericanAlex]

All of them are different, obviously. Some have the long term interest of their clients in mind (Chuks's agent seems to come to mind), others believe that the short term is the only guaranteed money for their player (Max's agent probably falls more in line with this).

They act as a middleman between the players and clubs which is something I'm not a fan of but middlemen are apart of our everyday lives. Players are paid to focus on football and they pay their agents to take care of contracts for them.

The idea of clubs paying agents, however, seems ludicrous to me.

[AstonAlex]

I would agree with your general thrust, AA, but without knowing who Max's agent is it is hard to comment. Also, in his instance, I would be surprised if he wasn't also taking advice from his father, who probably knows more about player development than most agents! Indeed, I know that he was instrumental in stopping his son go to Liverpool before his 16th birthday when there was a very favourable offer made to the player - who knows if he regrets that decision now!!

Secondly, I can remember Dario saying a few years ago that the football club never paid agents unless they had specifically asked one to find them a player. Hence the club made a payment when Majid Bougherra signed for 6 months as it was what we were looking for and he was found for us rather than generally touted around. Pity we didn't get him on a longer contract of course!!

I suspect we could all a few dodgy agents and their links with specific managers and clubs but would be best advised to keep to personal c

[number1stuartevans]

I thought paul clayton is max's agent?

[AstonAlex]

Paul is a not a Football Association authorised agent and as such cannot represent his son in that capacity. He has enough on his plate with his full time job at Leighton Hospital!!

[ChalkDust]

Paul is a not a Football Association authorised agent and as such cannot represent his son in that capacity. He has enough on his plate with his full time job at Leighton Hospital!!

Exactly AA his dad may try and guide him but Paul has a high profile job at Leighton.

[brummiefan]

A players' family can act on behalf of their relative as long as they complete a registration with the FA. They would not be listed on the list of registered agents as that list is what it is agents. Likewise lawyers can act on behalf of players by completing a Exempt solicitors form and again would not mean they would be on the agent list on the FIFA website.

If the club employs an agent/registered lawyer to act on their behalf in either acting in contract negotiations or in finding and brining in a player then they are entitled to earn a fee from the club and why not.

What gets me is that even if a player has an agent, they are encouraged to seek legal advice from a lawyer before signing a player representation contract with an agent so if I was a player I would just use a registered lawyer as they are more trustworthy and do everything above board.

[NEVTHEDEV]

A players' family can act on behalf of their relative as long as they complete a registration with the FA. They would not be listed on the list of registered agents as that list is what it is agents. Likewise lawyers can act on behalf of players by completing a Exempt solicitors form and again would not mean they would be on the agent list on the FIFA website.

If the club employs an agent/registered lawyer to act on their behalf in either acting in contract negotiations or in finding and brining in a player then they are entitled to earn a fee from the club and why not.

What gets me is that even if a player has an agent, they are encouraged to seek legal advice from a lawyer before signing a player representation contract with an agent so if I was a player I would just use a registered lawyer as they are more trustworthy and do everything above board.

Lawyers are trustworthy?,what planet are you on.?

[AstonAlex]

Well, Nev, I think we're talking in relative terms here! Who would you trust the most, a football agent or a lawyer?

At least lawyers have to be qualified and registered with a professional association so that if they do screw you over there is some way of getting recourse. ever tried that with certain, high profile, probably best notd, agents? Incidentally a number of agents are also qualified lawyers - oh dear, where do we go now?

[VindePays2009]

It was a sinking feeling that I read Steve's latest on the loan striker situation: he wants to get games, so let's just hope that an agent doesn't throw his weight around.

They often do with the Alex, and I find that ominous. Will we be going with what we've got, then?