The Reality of Hitting Goals in Professional Football
Share
Author: Alan Deriard
When you set out to build a career in professional football, the focus is always on the next milestone. But reaching your goals might not bring the happiness you expect. Here is the unvarnished truth about the reality of achieving success in football and playing the long game in the football agency landscape.
Key Takeaways:
- Success and hitting goals do not guarantee long-term happiness or contentment.
- Building a solid football agency takes years of failing and playing the long game.
- Don't chase happiness as the ultimate prize; it is a fleeting emotion.
- Choose a path you genuinely enjoy day-to-day, regardless of the vanity metrics like power or fame.
- Having backup plans outside of playing is a pragmatic strategy for long-term survival in football.
Why I'm Writing This
I am currently travelling in Barcelona, finalising deals and speaking with players. Over the last couple of days, several players have asked me about backup plans, university, and studying while chasing a football career. It made me reflect on what people assume success looks like. Many see what they perceive as my easy negotiations with European football clubs and assume I haven't faced failures. They see the highlight reel of Elite Football but miss the years of struggle. I want to share the reality of what it actually takes and how achieving your goals feels once you arrive.
The Illusion of the Highlights Reel
It's easy to look at successful negotiations and assume the process is effortless. Someone recently remarked to me that they were "waiting for me to fail" because dealing with clubs appeared so seamless. They said they were yet to hear a club tell me "No."
However, the truth is entirely different. When I started out over seven years ago, I failed constantly. I didn't understand what football academies desired, nor did I know how to navigate the complex world of professional football contracts. I share this to highlight that the polished exterior of a football agency is built on a foundation of early rejections and steep learning curves.
The Reality of Hitting Your Goals
I recently looked into some statistics and realised that, technically, I sit in the top 5% across almost every metric—income, age-driven accomplishments, and business growth. We just signed over 10 new clubs in Australia and parted ways with others that didn't align with our standards.
You would expect that hitting these heights would bring immense satisfaction. The painful truth? I couldn't feel further away from my ultimate goals today than I did when I started. Even occupying that top percentile, I am not content. I know that in another five to ten years, when I hit my next target, I will still feel like I am a decade away from where I truly want to be.
Chasing the Day-to-Day, Not Happiness
I have accepted that I might never reach a definitive state of being "content." This is why I advise players—and young men specifically—not to chase happiness. Happiness is a fleeting emotion. The same thing that makes you incredibly happy today can cause profound sadness tomorrow.
What gets me out of bed is waking up and chasing a massive goal. But that mindset isn't for everyone. If you are pursuing professional football, my best advice remains to burn the boats and commit fully for as long as you can. However, if you ever pivot from football to university, a trade, or another career, ensure it's something you enjoy on a day-to-day basis. Don't do it solely for money, fame, or vanity metrics. The daily grind is all that truly matters.
Common Mistakes Players Make
A frequent mistake young players make is assuming that signing a professional football contract will miraculously solve all their problems and lead straight to a life of fulfillment. They focus entirely on the destination rather than finding joy in player development. Consequently, when things get arduous or when they finally sign that contract and the reality isn't what they pictured, burnout sets in rapidly.
Practical Advice for Your Football Journey
If you are standing at the crossroads of graduating high school or entering that crucial 15 to 25 age bracket, plan practically. Dedicate yourself fiercely to your football trials and your pathway. Yet, never be naive about the fact that external achievements will not sustain your mental wellbeing over a 15-year career. Focus instead on enjoying the grit, the daily sessions, and the slow, methodical process of improvement.
Final Thoughts
Success within European football clubs or establishing a thriving football agency is rarely the glittering endpoint society portrays. It is a continuous, churning machine. Embrace the day-to-day effort. Stop demanding that your goals deliver lasting happiness, and instead learn to engage deeply with the work required to achieve them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do football players struggle with happiness after hitting their goals?
Often, players tie their entire identity and self-worth to specific outcomes, such as signing football contracts or joining a football academy. When they reach that milestone, they discover that the daily struggles remain, and the fleeting joy of the achievement fades, leading to unexpected feelings of emptiness.
Is it important to have a backup plan while playing professional football?
Yes. While you must dedicate yourself to your football career, having a backup plan like university or a trade provides a safety net. This alleviates immense pressure, allowing you to perform more freely on the pitch knowing your future isn't tied to a single outcome.
How does a football agency establish itself?
A successful football agency is built on years of initial failures, understanding exactly what clubs want, and playing the long game. It requires making mistakes early on, learning the industry's landscape, and slowly building databases and relationships over a period of 5 to 10 years.
Should I chase happiness or success in football?
You should chase a daily routine that you genuinely enjoy. Happiness is a temporary emotion, whereas finding fulfillment in the daily grind of player development will sustain your motivation far longer than the pursuit of vanity metrics or a singular moment of success.
What is the realities of football trials?
The reality is that football trials often result in rejection, especially early in a player's journey. Succeeding requires resilience, understanding the expectations of scouts and clubs, and being prepared to learn from the inevitable failures along the way.
TLDR
Many aspiring players and young professionals believe that reaching their ultimate goals—like signing with European football clubs or securing lucrative football contracts—will bring lasting happiness. However, the reality of the football industry is far more complex.
Behind the success of a thriving football agency are years of initial failures and steep learning curves. Reaching the top percentage in your field doesn't guarantee contentment; in fact, the pursuit of the next goal is often a relentless, unending cycle.
Therefore, it is vital to focus on the day-to-day journey rather than chasing the fleeting emotion of happiness. Whether you commit fully to professional football or eventually pivot to a backup plan, ensure your daily efforts bring you a sense of purpose independent of fame, money, or vanity metrics.