Manchester United have taken a new approach to agent fees on loan deals.
The Premier League giants have a big squad and regularly loan out young players and senior stars with Jesse Lingard going to West Ham in January which has kickstarted his career.
United’s basic premise is that they want any player to move to the best club for their development rather than where an agent can earn the highest commission – so they do not believe the representative should be paid by both clubs.
Agents do make healthy commissions – this week it was revealed Premier League clubs paid a total of £272m in fees despite the pandemic – and United would rather the other club helps pay their shortfall than give the agent another healthy pay day.
If a player earns £1m-a-year, the agent would be due five per cent or £50,000 in commission, United might have to make up £500,000 in wages, they then believe the other club should help pay the other £500,000 rather than pay the agent twice.
It might not go down well with all agents but does probably ensure the player ends up at the right club rather than move to help the agent get a pay day.
Justin Cochrane lined up as Aidy Boothroyd’s England U21 replacement
Justin Cochrane is being championed for the England under-21s job with Aidy Boothroyd set to leave the Football Association this summer.
Former Spurs youth coach Cochrane, currently in charge of England under-17s, is very highly rated and it would also be seen as a positive statement by the FA to appoint a black coach for a high profile job.
Ex-England international Jay Bothroyd played youth football with Cochrane at u-10s level, then joined QPR’s under-10s team and believes Cochrane has all of the credentials.
Former Arsenal trainee Bothroyd, 38, who now plays in Japan’s J League in Sapporo, said: “He is a forward thinking possession based coach with the ability to connect with young players with an excellent knowledge of the game.
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“He has worked with many different age groups especially through the Tottenham academy and now through the England youth.
“Gareth Southgate recently praised him in the media and to have a black man as manager of the u-21 would show equality and that our game is evolving and moving forward.”
Southgate referenced Cochrane last year when being quizzed about the lack of black and ethnic minority coaches and said he was potentially a “top coach.”
Boothroyd’s contract expires in the summer, it will not be renewed and Cochrane clearly has strong support while England u-19s coach Ian Foster is another name worth watching.
Premier League club’s wish for new Champions League
Premier League clubs are watching developments on the new-look Champions League with interest.
And one simple wish is that, despite the extra fixtures, they want to keep January clear as the one month that remains sacrosanct from European games.
Research into head injuries put on hold due to the coronavirus
Research into head injuries with former players has been put on hold in dozens of cases because of the pandemic.
One former England international was due to take part, had been booked in to see a specialist but they have yet to be able to make the visit. The player recalls a huge frame at their training ground with a ball attached and they would practice heading hundreds of times a week.
Former Birmingham manager wins award in Italy
Former Birmingham boss Pep Clotet has been voted manager of the month at Serie B club Brescia.
Clotet, who also previously worked at Leeds, has led Brescia towards safety with a great run of form and he is also reunited with ex-Leeds owner Massimo Cellino who owns Brescia.
Leeds’ owner makes new acquisition
Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani’s Eleven Sports has announced the acquisition of New York-based global sports media and entertainment company Team Whistle whose content generates up to four billion views a month.
