Alexi Lalas has called Angus Kinnear a “baby” for his comments on Tyler Adams’ summer transfer from Leeds United to Bournemouth.
On his State of the Union podcast (14 September), the American pundit said the Whites CEO sounded like a “scorned lover” when criticising the tactics of the USMNT midfielder and his agent, as well as Luis Sinisterra and his, in securing a move to the Premier League club amid the threat of legal action over their release clauses [The Square Ball, 7 September].
The former US international accused Kinnear and the Leeds United administration for the predicament, arguing that agents’ jobs was to negotiate the best possible deal for their clients.
“Oh my god, grow up,” Lalas said (39m 50s). What a sweetie. Jeez. This is what occurs! This is what occurs when you go down and have guys who have other options due to their talent.
“So you should have probably picked better, gotten better players, gotten better coaches, and figured out a way to stay in the EPL, and you wouldn’t have lost your players.”
“Come on, come on. I’m not sure what he’s referring to in terms of the activities, but having an agent work on your behalf, having them do things that allow you as a player plausible deniability, is part of what an agent’s buffer is.
“And that is part of what an agent does. It is not to watch out for the team; it is to look out for the player, and only the player, to achieve the greatest possible agreement or circumstance for them.
“And that’s exactly what happened in this case when it came to Tyler Adams.”
Upset
Lalas may be correct about agents’ loyalties, but that doesn’t make destroying bridges on behalf of athletes any less infuriating for clubs and fans.
And Leeds United can just as well point out that Jesse Marsch, Weston McKennie, and Brody Aaronson are some of the coaches and players they chose who weren’t good enough, while Lalas has a history of putting the club down to support the Americans at Elland Road.
At the same time, there is merit to the allegation that Victor Orta, Andrea Radrizzani, and company made multiple mistakes over the past two years that led to the relegation that prompted so many players to leave, and Kinnear was actively engaged.
Adams is mostly insulated from the primary criticism because he was one of the Whites’ best players last season before hamstring surgery terminated his season.
The new 49ers ownership has strengthened American influence in the boardroom while decreasing it in the locker room, and the situation appears to be more solid presently.
The transfer window was challenging, and having to allow Adams and Sinisterra go to avoid a lengthy legal issue would clearly annoy many at the club, but there is plenty of blame to go around for the situation that led to that.
With the deadline now gone, the team can finally look forward to rebuilding their way back to the Premier League under Daniel Farke.
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