Jonathan Tah has spoken openly about his experiences with football agents, admitting he has grown increasingly frustrated with the way many representatives operate in the modern game.
Appearing on the podcast of German content creator Tim Gabel, the Bayern Munich defender did not hold back when discussing the agency business, arguing that too many agents focus on their own interests rather than those of the players they represent.
“I can’t stand it,” Tah said. “Many people in this business pretend to care about you, but in the end they’re only interested in what benefits them.”
The Germany international explained that he found it difficult to build genuine trust with many agents throughout his career, describing the football industry as one in which players can easily be viewed as assets rather than individuals.
According to Tah, authenticity and honesty were the qualities he valued most when looking for representation.
Those values ultimately led him to Pini Zahavi, one of football’s most influential agents. Rather than waiting to be approached, Tah revealed that he made the first move himself.
“I actively contacted Pini Zahavi because I wanted to get to know him personally,” Tah explained. “From our first conversations, I had a good feeling.”
Tah stressed that the decision was based on mutual trust rather than the agent’s reputation, adding that he wanted someone who would communicate openly and understand him beyond purely football-related matters.
The 30-year-old’s comments offer a rare insight into the often-private relationship between players and their representatives. While football agents frequently come under scrutiny from supporters and clubs alike, it is uncommon for active players to speak so directly about their own experiences.
