Hi, Gustavo!

Very sorry my poor English, forgive me, I apologize!

Please find my answers bellow:

1 – Along your career as head coach you’ve managed some of the biggest and most successful clubs in Brazil, Japan, South Africa, Kuwait among others. What’s the best part of your job and what’s the worst?

The best part of Coach’s job in the opportunity to interact with people of different cultures, either locally or from other Countries, helping them to achieve their goals.

And the opportunity to travel all over the world, exchanging experiences, expertise and knowledge!

The worst is the difficulty to stay in the same Club for long time developing your Project, mainly in Brazil, due to the pressure when the results are not the expected ones.

2 – What were the biggest sacrifices you’ve made?

The biggest sacrifice I have made in my 46 years’ career is to live far from the Family and Friends, sometimes months, when for any reason Wife and Sons cannot travel anymore and stay with me the whole time abroad.

3 – If you could do it all over again, what would you change?

I think being the same I would do all the way the same.

But if I could think differently back in 1993, as Coach of the Pre Olympic Brazilian National Team in the way for 1996 Olympics, being more reasonable and agreed terms with the Brazilian Football Association. It could have changed all my personal History, being possible to conquer the Pre Olympic Competition and once qualified, the Olympic Tournament (only achieved in the Brazilian Olympics), and as result of that named the Coach of the Brazilian Senior National Team for France World Cup in 1998.

As the terms were not agreed I wrote my History as it is, and I am happy with it, 4 Continents, many Friends all over the World.

4 – My initial goal while taking the sport management masters program is to work as an agent. As a head coach you have probably interacted with many agents. What would you say are the most important characteristics for someone seeking this type of position?

In fact, I have worked just with two Agents, both after 1996, one for Africa and Europe (we are still together, Mr. Nadime Mahmood), the other for Japan (Mr. Fernando Umeoka), when I worked over there.

But I know many others, without professional relationship. The most important characteristic of an Agent is the honesty and credibility, to be always correct and fair with the Professional and the Club involved in the negotiation, but regarding the Professional is to protect him, helping him to be better in the business.

5 – As head coach what advice do you give your players when it comes to negotiating with the agents?

As a Head Coach I use to let them know the lot of Players unfortunate with their choices regarding Agents, to be safe and alert, participating firmly in the relation. I also know how important an Agent can be in the personal and professional development of one Player, as the Agent of Ronaldo Fenômeno, Reinaldo Pita, since very young till very late in his career. Sometimes they do not have opportunity to choose, they are chosen.

6 – Have you hired agents to assist you as a coach? If yes, can you please describe your experience in this relationship?

Yes, I have had just two Agents, one for one year, in Japan, Umeoka, being the one that found the Job there and supported me during the negotiation and the time of contract, visiting me regularly, following trainings and games, informing me some fact or things happening out of my view. We became good Friends

The second is the one that brought me to South Africa in 1996, before Japan, and is still with me. We are more than Coach and Agent; we are Real Friends due to the good relation.

7 – Based on yours know how of the Brazilian market, that counts with so many agents and managers, could you please give me your advice on where and how to start an agent career?

As far I as know it is not necessary to be registered at FIFA anymore, as before, then I think the best way is to have a well organized Office with full necessary forms and Laws of the Game, being well supported by Lawyers, contacting and signing Young Players of not very famous Clubs, supporting them to grow. Being also related with other Agents, especially abroad and presenting the C. V., Videos and Profiles of the Players to Clubs that You think could have interest. Scouting nowadays is a very difficult task, since all biggest Clubs in the world have this Department and it starts all over at the youngest ages, all over.

Best regards,

Sincerely Yours,

Julio Leal

February, 10^th. 2017