Makram Sraïeb, sports agent in Caen: “Being an agent is not just about taking your commission”
Through Nicholas Claich
Published on
Player agent. The title sends back a sulphurous image, especially in the Mercato period which has just ended. Transfers, mandates, commissions… the vocabulary associated with the profession also encourages fantasies. “Agents are often frowned upon,” laments Makram Sraïeb. It is true that there are “intruders”, because there is a lot of money at stake. But we can work honestly, humbly, with professionalism”.
Former of MOS and Verson
Originally from Tunisia, Makram Sraïeb (45) lives in Caen (Calvados) For more than 20 years. After a small semi-pro career on the other side of the Mediterranean, he wore the colors of Maladrerie then Verson, upon his arrival in Normandy. “I first worked in the hotel industry, but the passion for the foot caught up with me,” he smiles. After having authorized to pass his coaching diplomas, he finally turns to the profession of agent. He obtained his FFF license, the recognition of football authorities, in 2008.
The adopted Caennais resumes:
It’s very hard to get your license, and it’s very regulated. But it is a passionate area. We are always on the pitch, and there is a very human aspect. It’s not just about making a deal and taking your commission…
All agent mandates must be registered with the French Federation. Whether they link it to a player or a club. “When a club is looking for a player for a particular position and it does not have a recruitment unit, it can appoint an agent, explains Makram. If the latter offers a player under contract with another agent, the two agents must sign a mandate between them”. Then, they part with the commission provided in connection with the transfer.
In Caen, but not in Malherbe
Transfers are only the tip of the iceberg for the ifois agent. In France, he works mainly with young players, in training centers (Amiens, Lyon, Paris SG) or at amateur level. Abroad, he uses his networks in Tunisia, but also in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Senegal. “With young people and their parents, we try to chart a complete career path, emphasizing the importance of education. You have to be transparent with them: for about 60 players under convention in a training center, only three or four will turn professional. You have to think about the future”.
Although settled in Caen for 20 years, Makram Sraieb has never worked with Stade Malherbe. For the moment… “I often go to see matches and I recently met Olivier Pickeu, he reveals. He clearly explained the club’s project to me, and assured me that his door was open.
For the pros, Makram Sraïeb strives to offer comprehensive support, by surrounding himself with various skills. “With my collaborator Michaël Wentzinger, who has coaching diplomas, we call on Perf In Football, Nicolas Gravisse’s structure which offers individualized preparations, particularly in pre-season, as well as monitoring in terms of nutrition, some sleep… “
For the financial aspect, the agent directs its players towards wealth management specialists. He himself has just passed his diploma as a video analyst, so as to offer quality CVs to club managers. So many precautions that do not consume all those who gravitate around handrails, in the hope of unearthing the future Mbappé, who will turn into a hen with golden eggs.
Me too, I hope to discover a future great player. But there are many people who work without a license, friends, cousins, uncles… Everyone wants to bite, the foot turns heads.
FIFA Match Agent
While waiting to come across a rare pearl, the former patient claims to live “normally” from his profession. He has even diversified his activities, taking advantage of… his experience in the hotel industry. “I organize friendly matches, tournaments and pre-season stadiums for the teams, specifies the FIFA match agent license holder. I manage all the accommodation part, in connection with the Barrière group. I also take care of finding the training grounds and finding the opponents”. A global approach, again.
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