A partnership formed to follow up on the training, that of Sport Business Academy, the body in the sports world that works to give a concrete career opportunity to those who invest in themselves. LG Sports&Management, a sports football consulting and support agency, has decided to focus on SBA to recruit future football scouts. An agreement born thanks to the training institution's guarantee of professionalism and seriousness, which has come to its climax thanks to social media. Yes, because as John Lyon, LG Sports&Management general manager and FIFA agent, "it's all thanks to a simple advertisement".
John Lyon, why did you choose SBA?
"Our agency receives thousands of contacts from people looking for an outlet to become football observers. They are often improvised, they think it's easy, but it's not. Sport Business Academy is different, it is highly educational, and it attracts kids who are betting on themselves, on training. Who invest money for their future, who make sacrifices to do something concrete in life. This allows us to do a great skimming, because we are always looking for observers to join our agency. Eight out of an estimated 10 young men are expected to permanently join LG Sports&Management".
How does the internship period in the agency work?
"The trainees have one year to learn, to practice their skills and what they have learned in SBA courses. At the moment two people are collaborating with us; next year we will decide whether to continue the collaboration. Our idea, since we are talking about soccer, is to allow the students to manage the two soccer market sessions, the summer and winter, in the hope of being able to close a deal with some players".
Let's talk about job outlets for SBA trainees.
"LG Sports&Management can also be part of the curriculum. Ours is a great agency, and should any of the guys want to go elsewhere after their experience with us, certainly LG would go and complete the training curriculum".
Fundamental training, as well as perseverance and commitment. What is your advice for trainees?
"I started from scratch, 11 years ago. But net of my path, what I feel I am saying is that the important thing is to try, spending two or three years of your life, of your time. The comparison I often make is with people who want to open a bar. It takes time to get results, to get publicity, for people to understand that your coffee is good. Here, never give up".
Is there "unfair" competition in your industry?
"There are many examples of untrained people. But it is a problem up to a point. If you are unprofessional, the champion on duty does not consider you, nor does the parent of the young talent. They understand it when you are dealing with a serious person who knows his or her trade".
Speaking of talent, what's simmering in the pot?
"We are currently taking warrants from Argentine footballers. Today the important name is Pandolfi, class of '98, a striker requested by half of Serie B and most of the Lega Pro. He is a great talent and I believe that in a couple of years we might even see him in Serie A.".
Tricks of the trade. What to do to "get in the good graces" of a soccer player?
"The first feeling is most important, and it is the skin feeling. It is empathy. And I'm not talking about a suit-and-tie meeting. In my case, I am very careful never to promise anything to anyone. I'm always honest and that's what pays off. The risk is to burn a player's career.".
