Agents exist because there is so much money in the game & many footballers lack the education/skills/experience to negotiate effectively with clubs, or to ensure they maximise their earnings potential.

The world of agents is a jungle. Know the laws of the jungle and exploit them to your advantage. That is the real game.

If you want to live in a world full of kindness, respect and love, try to show these qualities.

The money is probably the worst thing, then Sky Sports and then Man U. So agents are about the fourth worst thing in football. I would put Brighton on the list but they are neither football nor significant.

Red and Blue Army!

The Wolves situation seems a little ridiculous. Also isn't that 'super' agent Riola or whatever banned, yet still represents all of the big names?
Just seems silly sometimes. I guess it's a hard area to legislate for as players are bound to be entitled to representation.
Somewhere above, someone mentioned Alex Ferguson, didn't he make everyone use his son? No corruption there.

Red and Blue Army!

There are agents everywhere.
Travel,estate etc.
A middle man or woman to negotiate with to get the end product you want.
In football the dough involved is eye watering.
Imagine a player tried to negotiate on his own ; he could end up in a real pickle with the small print.
I know way back Simon Jordan told Cahill's agent to foxtrot oscar when he came back last minute for extra dough.
I think we got relegated because of that non signing but SJ explained why he did it.
Cahill went to Everton.
It's a bit of a rock and a hard place really.
Player protection over agents demands and payments.
Not good in totality but a necessary evil.

I don't really get the whole perception of agents being toxic, despicable people.

The world is full of manipulation and lies. Every advert, social media post etc made by a company is heavily researched and designed to manipulate the viewer into doing things. Anyone who has ever worked in Sales has pulled the same dishonest acts as an agent.

As fans we want our players to be dedicated to our club and love it as much as we do but we don't hold ourselves to the same standards in our own lives when it comes to our jobs and will happily speak to recruitment companies to find us the best roles with the best pay without a second thought to our employer.

I've worked in sales as everything from new business to account management and channel. The stuff I've seen people do to get a deal makes agents look like angels. Nothing wrong with anyone trying to make the most of what they do and get the most money for themselves and their clients. It's not their fault if the clubs cave in so easily and allow them to do it.

Exactly this.
If I was buying a house and the estate agent came to me, after an agreement to buy was sorted, and asked me for £xxx for themselves to allow me to buy I would tell them to do one.