Former Athletic Bilbao sports chief Rafa Alkorta admits he struggled to handle the behaviour of agents during his time in charge.

Alkorta left Athletic last week after the election of new president Jon Uriarte.

He recalled: “Of all the things I have done since I retired from football, sports management is the most thankless.

"When I finished the meetings with the players and the representative told me... what about mine?... . I did not expect those things, they were embarrassing."

Alkorta admits he would've liked to have signed Real Sociedad pair Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino for Athletic.

He said, “Of course, in recent years it is more difficult, because the clauses are getting higher and higher. Until a few years ago, Athletic had Real players without any problem, and Oyarzabal and Merino are very good players who could play for all LaLiga teams."