A few weeks ago, I released a blog about agents, and the interest was huge.
It just so happens that I am completing some agent qualifications at the same time. I get asked a lot about this topic and, as such, I thought I would take it upon myself to mix with agents and learn more about the landscape.
I have recently completed the Football Transfer Forum Level 2 Agents course (if you haven't sought out the Football Transfer Forum and their founders, Tony Sharkey and Ryan McKnight, I would strongly suggest you do). They asked me to speak at their conference, which was an honour. They are both good guys and very knowledgeable.
I am also in the throes of completing a Professional Certificate Programme in Sport Agents at Loughborough University. This is a more academic course with a more focused approach on the legal and regulatory framework that underpins the idea of representation.
Throughout both courses, I have tested my theories (the ones I mentioned in this blog), and they stack up. Follow these principles:
1) Why do I want an agent?
2) Why does the agent want to represent my son or daughter?
3) Interview the agent
These are foundational steps in making sure you do not end up with the wrong agent. I have lost count of the number of players and their families I have met who have said to me, "We were given very poor advice", or "It turned out the agent wasn't even licensed", and "Once he wasn't awarded a professional contract, the agent didn't want to know".
The key here is building knowledge. Knowledge equals power.