Manchester City
In a shocking turn of events, former Manchester City player Adrian Heath was reportedly kidnapped during a trip to Morocco, where he had traveled for a prospective managerial role. The incident, which involved an alleged attempt to extort a ‘six-figure sum’ from Heath, has drawn the attention of both the FBI and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), who are believed to be investigating the ordeal. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of managers traveling for international roles, prompting a review of protocols by the League Managers’ Association (LMA).
Heath, now 65, spent six years at Everton winning two First Division titles and the FA Cup before joining City. He reportedly had been invited to meet ‘the sheikh’ at one of his ‘several hotels and businesses’ in the region to discuss the role. Speaking to The Athletic, Heath said one of the men told him: “This is how it’s going to work: You’re going to send us money. And if you don’t, you won’t see your wife again. You won’t see your two kids and your grandkids.” After Heath told his captors that his wife Jane could not send the money because it was the end of the working day in the United States, he was threatened with a knife. Heath, who refused to pay any money to the three men, added: “I started thinking about all the good stuff about my life. My wife. My children. My grandkids.”
The situation took a turn when Heath’s captors failed to disable the location services on his phone, allowing his family in the United States to track his whereabouts. This led to an aggressive phone call with the agent who had initially arranged the meeting, ultimately resulting in Heath’s release. He was taken to the airport by his captors and managed to escape to safety, flying back to America via Madrid.
Heath said: “It was like the longest and quickest three days of my life. It gives everyone a chance to re-evaluate their life and what’s actually important. And the only important thing is your family.”
Following his ordeal, Heath informed the LMA about his experience, which has since led to the introduction of new protocols. These measures are designed to ensure that any offers or interviews for managerial roles abroad are vetted through the union, with details confirmed through the relevant federation. This initiative aims to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future and to safeguard the well-being of managers traveling internationally.
Heath, who enjoyed a successful playing career with clubs including Everton, Manchester City, and Burnley, transitioned into coaching after retiring. His most recent role was a seven-year tenure as the manager of Minnesota United in Major League Soccer (MLS). The incident in Morocco serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks involved in international assignments and the importance of prioritizing safety and family.
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