Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane criticize agents after Rooney saga
Both Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United, and former United player Roy Keane have criticized the role played by footballers' agents after uncertainties loomed over Wayne Rooney's future last week.
Paul Stretford, Rooney's agent, told Ferguson that the striker wanted to leave United shortly before the start of the Premier League season. Ferguson disclosed the revelation to the media last Tuesday, 19 October.
After intense speculation over where Rooney might go next, the 24-year-old signed a five-year deal with United on Friday, 22 October, causing many to wonder how sincere the player's desire to leave United had been in the first place.
Ferguson, who has managed United since 1986, said that no player's future is secure in modern football.
"There are always issues to deal with," the Scot told The Mirror. "When your top players come towards the end of their contracts, you have to do something to get them a new one. They’re all the same. You have to deal with agents of this world today,
which is difficult. The players are no problem. There’s no problem with players. Some agents are difficult."
Keane, who played for United between 1993 and 2005 and is the current manager of Ipswich Town, said some agents are better at protecting the interests of their players, but that many are simply in it to land the best contracts for their players, with no
regard for the consequences of high-stake negotiations.
"Agents are part of the game. They aren't going to go away. Let's not kid ourselves, there are some good agents out there. Some good lawyers and solicitors have got the players' best interests at heart. There will be one or two agents that you'll be wary
of," Keane told Sky Sports News.
The veteran midfielder added that he prefers to speak to his players directly. "I don't really deal with [agents]. I try and leave that to the chief executive and to the owner. I don't try and get too involved. My priority is to try and speak with the player
so that I can bring him to the football club."
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