An agents job is crucial but even more so during the transfer window, its usually a game of cat and mouse and the best in the business play it masterfully. When you represent the best footballers in the wold, you have to ensure you keep them happy and get them what they want. If your player is not happy, how can you turn that around?...the best agents have many tactics they use.
The Press Game
The modern day fan has grown to hate the agent, why?...because they have freedom to say basically what they want to the press. The press eats it up and its causes a ripple which later becomes a giant wave, the best in the business use the press to their advantage. Perhaps their client is not happy with the current contract negotiations, the agent can simply come out and tell the press their client is wanted by many clubs.
The story is played into the public and it creates heat, the clubs have to respond or it just keeps filtering in the papers. The agent can also come out and say their player wishes to leave, he is 'unhappy' or feeling 'unloved'. To the man on the street it is infuriating but it works most of the time.
The Waiting Game
Depending on how much time is left on a footballer's contract, negotiations for a new contract will often take place.If the agent is not happy with whats being offered they may choose to wait, this puts more pressure on the club to either increase the wages or add other incentives within the contract. Sometimes the club's respond and sometimes they play hard-ball and let the player's contract run out, but it depends on the time.
There are many tactics that an agent can play during this time of the season, manipulation, propaganda and so on. With social media available now as well, rumors can fly by a tweet a second, clubs have had to learn to deal with these often egotistical power heads.
The Candy Game
A top agent always has to have the ability to make those around them feel good, when you want to convince or persuade your player to buy into something you feel is right. As well as negotiations with clubs, you don't want to create any hostilities between parties because they pay the bills. Sugar coating stories, relationships and meetings will work in a 'super agents' favor.
As an agent, you are only as strong as the clients you represent. Mr Jorge Mendes, the Portuguese man richer than his own president. He is one of the most influential agents in world football, he dominates the industry.
Cristiano Ronaldo__€100 000 000 (Market Value)
Fabio Coentrao___€18 000 000
Anderson___€9000 000
Falcao___€60 000 000
Pepe___€20 000 000
Thiago Silva___€40 000 000
Angel Di Maria____€34 000 000
These are just a few of the big names that are all represented by one man, Jorge Mendes. Sitting pretty in his office you will see shirts signed by his many famous footballers, plus other gifts. 2/3 mobile phones will be by his side, on stand by for any calls or texts from either his players or regarding his boys. Flat screen televisions with the sport channels on, catching up on any rumors that might be floating around. Jorge is highly respected because of his business mind and caring mindset. He has been successful because of his early scouting days, watching the likes of Ronaldo in high-school. He will always try his best to make time for his clients, obviously some will be treated with more care than others i.e Ronaldo.
During this window Jorge has had to deal with the on and off speculation of F.C Barcelona wanting to sign Thiago Silva, although he may have seemed like he wanted to go...Thiago ended up signing a good looking contract extension which made him and his agent a little richer. Whether the talk of Thiago wanting to leave was true/false we will never know, but perhaps both parties got what they wanted. Another one of Jorge's clients may soon be on the way, Fabio Coentrao is reportedly on the way to North London to sign for Tottenham. Its still not confirmed whether this may be a deal to get Gareth Bale to Madrid or that the new Madrid manager doesn't fancy Coentrao...Jorge will be having anxious moments trying to work out a deal.
Another one of Jorge's clients has already left the capital of Spain, after a roller coaster season with Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho returned back to his beloved Chelsea. Having one of the most successful managers, in world football signed to you isn't a bad deal at all. Considering that Mourinho is a manager who likes to wonder around, every time an opportunity to leave to a bigger club presents itself, its sure to be a mega-contract.
More money in the bank for Mr Mendes this window came when Falcao signed with Monaco, a deal which shocked many. Financially its a deal that makes sense to Mendes and his client, a beautiful country, tax free, big wages and massive signing fee. It ticked all the boxes and the player would be playing week in and week out, another one of Jorge's clients Ricardo Carvalho also tagged along which helped with negotiations. Reports suggest that Monaco offered Mendes a €10 million cut, if he can convince Cristiano Ronaldo to sign in the future.
Ronaldo is obviously the main client for Jorge, the partnership has worked extremely well and he has gone to see him rise to extreme heights in world football. At this moment it is unclear exactly where Ronaldo's future lies, the man himself has said so. Recently reports from Spain's Marca said that Ronaldo is close to agreeing a £75 million 5 year deal with Real Madrid, the contract negotiations between both parties have been on-going. So far nothing concrete has been reached, stories have been out that Ronaldo could be returning to Man United or going to France. This could all be mind-games from the Mendes camp, the contract supposedly hinges on Ronaldo earning more than his rival in Barcelona. This could see CR7 earning £1000 more than Messi, which could be in the region of £300 000+ a week. The talks are still on-going and we will only know the full details in time...
The window is still open with a few more week left, you can be sure that Mr Mendes will be working his socks off during this busy time. It will all be worth it the end and he will be smiling all the way to the bank.
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| Jorge Mendes 'The Super Agent' |
Hope you enjoyed part 1 of our 'Transfer Window Special', don't miss out on part 2.
- Twitter - Denisao4
Thanks again, peace & love!.
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