Agents, intermediaries and "managers": what young players and parents should know

At some point, someone will offer to “manage” your child. Sometimes it is a serious person. Often it is not. Rules on who may represent young players differ from country to country and change over time, so this guide does not give legal advice. It gives you the questions to ask and the signs to watch for. For your own country, check with your football federation.

What an intermediary actually does

A legitimate intermediary helps a player negotiate with a club, understands contracts and knows the rules of the federation. That work makes sense when there is a real offer to negotiate. For a twelve-year-old playing in a local league, there is nothing to negotiate. Anyone offering “management” at that age is selling a feeling, not a service.

Questions to ask anyone who approaches you

Are you registered with the federation, and can I check that?
Which players do you currently represent, and can I speak to one family?
What exactly will you do for us in the next twelve months?
Who pays you, and how much, and when?
Will you put all of this in writing before we sign anything?

A serious person answers all five without irritation. An unserious one changes the subject.

Warning signs

A fee to join a “programme” or to be “put in front of clubs”.
Contact made directly with a minor on social media, not with the parents.
Pressure to sign quickly, or to keep the conversation secret from the current club.
Promises of trials at famous clubs with no name of a person at that club.
Exclusive contracts for many years with a child who has never had an offer.

Why Go2Pro does it differently

Go2Pro is a platform, not an agent. It does not represent players and does not take a share of anything a player earns. Scouts and professionals verify their identity with LutinX ID, and for players under 18 they can only contact the linked parent, inside the app. That does not make every message a good offer, but it means you know who is writing and that the conversation starts with you.

If a real offer arrives

Then, and only then, it may be worth finding proper representation. Ask the club what the normal practice is. Ask other families. Take your time. A genuine offer does not vanish because you asked for a week to think.