The players’ agent licensing system required aspiring football agents to pass an extremely difficult exam, set by FIFA and held bi-annually by national associations. The pass rate in England since 2008 has been as low as 6% and rarely higher than 30%. In some countries, there were sittings when not a single candidate passed the exam.
We developed a unique service, unrivalled in its success, 'tutoring' aspiring football agents around the world to help them pass the exam and obtain their players' agent licence. From 2008 onwards, we tutored over 125 candidates in 15 different countries and achieved an average pass rate of around 80%. Just a handful of the testimonials we received from successful candidates are set out further down this page.
Under the new Regulations on Working with Intermediaries, an intermediary will not need to sit an exam. Nonetheless, a deep undertanding of the rules and regulations governing the football industry, including of course the Regulations themselves, is still crucial if intermediaries are to represent their clients to the highest standard. Indeed, it could be said to be even more important than it was under the agents’ licensing system: there will be considerably more individuals, as well as companies, potentially seeking to represent players / clubs – one way to stand out from the crowd will be to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the rules and regulations as they apply to a player, club or transfer.
For those reasons, we are continuing our unique tuition service, albeit in a different format. Rather than focussing on getting candidates through an exam, we concentrate on:
- ensuring our clients understand their rights and obligations under the new Regulations;
- building our clients’ knowledge of football’s rules and regulations as they affect intermediaries;
- identifying practical issues that could arise when representing players and clubs;
- providing candidates with a working knowledge of the documents they will typically be negotiating on behalf of clients, from playing contracts and intermediary arrangements through to commercial agreements; and
- explaining some of the hot topics in football, such as third party ownership, financial fair play, image rights arrangements, etc.
Our aim is to ensure that those individuals we tutor know how to operate within the regulatory framework and are able to provide first class representation services to their clients.
We are able to provide tuition to candidates around the world over the phone or via Skype if necessary.
Set out below is a selection of just some of the testimonials we received from candidates who passed the players’ agent exam after receiving our tuition:
"Dan's service is absolutely first-rate and worth every penny. His knowledge and support were brilliant, his teaching exceptional and I would never have passed without his tuition. I cannot recommend him highly enough - if you're considering taking the exam, you'd be crazy not to enlist his help. The best money I've ever spent!"
Mark Ellis
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"I have no doubt that Dan's tuition and learning techniques were the key to me passing the Players Agent exam. His expert knowledge and unique style of teaching ensured I had a deep and thorough understanding of the Regulations, the ability to apply that knowledge and the confidence to pass. I would recommend that anyway who is serious about passing the exam contact Dan immediately."
Richard Clegg
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"Without Dan's help, I would not have been able to pass the exam. The extra help offered, and luxury of having somebody at the end of the telephone when I was stuck was invaluable. Quite simply the best money I have ever spent."
Darren Conah
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"Having already failed the agents exam at the first attempt, I knew how difficult it was. You can study intensively but without the in-depth knowledge and understanding of the FIFA and FA rules that is required you have a very slim chance of passing. This understanding is expertly provided by Dan, his knowledge of the subject area is second to none and he makes you understand the material to the required depth. I would definitely recommend his tutelage as I know I would not have passed the exam without his help and support. Many thanks Dan."
Jonathan Clarke
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“Dan lived up to all my expectations. He was punctual, knowledgeable and best of all a great teacher. It’s one thing to know your content, but it’s another to deliver it in such a way that enables understanding. Dan did that with aplomb. The confidence I had leading into the exam and during it, was all thanks to this fantastic service. The results speak for themselves.”
David
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"When I started to prepare for the exam in Hungary, I did not think it would be difficult. Then I read an online article about the worldwide pass-rate being 10%. I found Couchmans LLP online and arranged for tuition to be provided over the phone. Dan's service over the phone was absolutely fantastic: he is very good at explaining, clarifying and focusing on details, plus he was always available for me before the exam even if he had a very busy schedule. I would not have been able to pass the exam at the first attempt without Dan."
Imre Baranyi (Hungary)
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“Money well spent! To put it simply, DAN IS THE MAN! After having failed the exam at my first attempt I got in touch with Dan. I found not only his knowledge and teaching methods to be first class, but also the revision pack which was essential in preparing me for the exam.”
Mike
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"Dan was a wonderfully supportive tutor. I have never confronted academic work like this before, yet Dan adapted his communication and teaching techniques for my needs. He left me feeling like I could trust him not just to help me do well but also as a confidant."
Louis Francis
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"After I failed the test first time, I thought it was really impossible to pass the Players' Agent Exam until I met Dan. He is really an expert in his business and I wouldn't pass the test without Dan's invaluable guidance."
Murat Bayramoglu (Turkey)
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"When I read the rules and regulations for the first time, my heart sank. With the volume of documents in the syllabus, I thought there was no way I could pass the exam in a million years. Ten weeks and ten lessons with Dan later, I walked into the exam knowing there was no way I could fail. "
Danny
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"When faced with one of the toughest exams around, you need to gain every advantage possible. Dan's tuition service affords you that advantage and a whole lot more. His friendly, informative and insightful tuition greatly enhances your knowledge of what is a complicated syllabus, as well as lifting your confidence levels going into the exam. Highly recommended!"
Simon Durno
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"My first language is Mandarin. The football agent exam is very difficult, even for native English speakers, and with the pass rate at less than 10% for the past two exams, I was really struggling. Fortunately I met Dan, who is an excellent tutor with very professional knowledge and great patience - sometimes he needed to explain specific regulations to me several times, until I fully understood. Without his help, I would not have passed the exam."
Xiang Gao
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"Despite having a corporate finance background and being used to exams, Dan's tuition enabled me to turn a confusing reading list into a structured syllabus, helping me develop a genuine understanding of the key issues and rules. Moreover, his teaching techniques, involving practical examples, hints and tips, ensured that I was able to apply my knowledge successfully in the exam. I highly recommend anyone who is serious about passing the exam to take advantage of Dan's services, whatever their background."
Henry Spratt
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"Understanding the fundamental rules is key to passing the exam. The low pass rate is down to the fact that the rules can't be fully understood without the guidance of an experienced legal expert. Without Dan's tuition, I would have relied upon my own incorrect interpretations of the rules and failed."
Tim Craig
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"Dan's tuition and help was a major factor in passing first time. As a professional involved in advising footballers for 18 years, the agents rules themselves are straightforward, but to pass you need to know so much more and avoid the traps, of which there are many! Dan's tuition showed me just how much detail had to be known, where the traps lay and helped me plan my studying. Cheers Dan."
Tom Lymn (Partner, Ashgates Accountants)
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"Thank you to Dan for getting me through the Agents exam. The course gave me the focus and direction that I needed to pass, without this support I would undoubtedly have struggled."
Jeremy Tarrant
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"Dan's tuition service was invaluable in helping me prepare for the agents exam. I don't think I would have passed without his expert coaching - the best money I have spent in a long time!"
David Fenwick (Dubai)
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"Given the notoriously low pass rate, I was more than a little daunted at the thought of sitting the FIFA Players' Agent Exam. I found Dan to be very knowledgable, patient and flexible, and excellent as regards to my exam technique, which was vital for me. I would recommend his services to anyone seeking to sit the exam. I have no doubt that his tuition helped me to become the first person to pass the exam in Northern Ireland for a year and a half!"
Steve Scott (Northern Ireland)
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries regarding our tuition service.