Aside from Sepp Blatter, 'the agent' is the most hated individual in football. With the Bosman ruling sitting comfortably in their holster, the agent has invaded a fine old game and turned it into a horribly business full of dodgy deals and dodgier suits.
The go-to image of the agent is of an obnoxious Londoner with slick hair, briefcase in hand and hanging out in football club car parks looking to turn prospective clients from spotty teenagers into multi-millionaires. With the advent of the 'super-agent' such as Jorge Mendes or Mino Riaola, that image may be changing and not necessarily for the better.
However, there's a new hero in this murky world. Ian Harte has decided to forego the coaching or media route and instead will turn his hand to becoming an agent now that his playing career is over. But Harte is going to do things a bit differently.
There are so many sharks out there, agents who have never kicked a ball in their lives and who know nothing about the game and who are only thinking about how much money they can make out of their client.
I will work with the younger players and I will be very hands on as I will be around to give them advice on anything they need.
No pressure Ian but we're expecting you to change the football world.
[ESPN]
