ABSTRACT
Agents play a central role in facilitating the transfer of players both domestically and internationally and in their contract (re)negotiations. The role of a football agent typically involves contract (re)negotiations for players and managers, the scouting of players for clubs, managing players' and managers' image rights and providing financial, counselling and support services. However, few academic studies have utilised semi-structured tape-recorded interviews with agents in examining how they impact on the role of the professional football manager. This chapter attempts to redress this gap in our knowledge by examining the industry from the perspectives of players, managers and agents. It focuses on several key aspects of the agent industry which influence the role of the contemporary football manager. The chapter explores the central role that agents play in professional football in general and in player contract (re)negotiations in particular. It examines the considerable hostility that exists towards agents, much of which concerns their alleged unethical behaviour.
