We spoke to football agent and former Sunderland left-back Ian Harte about his career, both as a player and what he’s been up to after retirement. He has defended agents, who usually take the blame as the bad guys when unpopular transfers happen.
As a young lad from Ireland what was it like coming over to England so early in your career, moving away from home to Leeds?
“It’s difficult moving away from home. I moved at 16 years old and you get homesick. But, what I feel for the Irish kids nowadays is that it’s difficult for them because they’re good enough to come over at 16, but because of Brexit now they have to wait until 18 to come across. I think that’s why the Ireland team is probably suffering at the moment. The youngsters are already two years behind the other lads who have been in the programme.”
When you came over did you have any support?