Emile Heskey: From Liverpool Star to Leicester City Women Coach

Leicester born and Leicester raised, Emile Heskey has a habit of returning to the places that first shaped him. The former England striker has spent the years since retirement working inside Leicester City Women; in 2021 Leicester City gave him a formal development role covering coaching, performance and recruitment.

Born: 11 January 1978, Leicester · Position: Striker / Winger · England caps: 62 · Liverpool appearances: 223 · Current role: Assistant coach, Leicester City Women

The headline numbers from Heskey’s playing career and current post look like this:

Biographical figures from Wikipedia’s biography of Heskey and Leicester City’s women’s history page.

What happened to Emile Heskey?

Heskey played for Leicester City, Liverpool, Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers before retiring in 2016. He earned 62 England caps and scored 7 goals. After retirement he transitioned into coaching, eventually landing a role with Leicester City Women.

Retirement from professional football

His last playing stint was with Bolton Wanderers from 2014 to 2016. He then took a break from the game before returning in an ambassadorial capacity with Leicester City Women.

Coaching career at Leicester City Women

Appointed in 2021, Heskey works as an assistant coach, covering coaching, performance and recruitment at senior and academy level. The Leicester City’s official announcement described it as a hands-on development role.

The implication: Heskey’s post-playing career is rooted in real work, not a ceremonial title.

How good was Emile Heskey?

Playing style and strengths

Known for his physical strength, hold-up play and unselfishness, Heskey was a target man who created space for others. Managers valued his team contribution despite a modest goal tally.

International career for England

He earned 62 caps and scored 7 goals for England, featuring in major tournaments including the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. His partnership with Michael Owen was a hallmark of the national side.

Legacy and criticism

Often criticised for a low goal-to-game ratio, Heskey’s legacy is that of a selfless forward. His strength and aerial ability made him a unique option, and his work rate rarely wavered. Wikipedia’s biography notes his 60 Liverpool goals in 223 appearances.

Did Heskey play for Liverpool?

Liverpool career (2000–2004)

Heskey joined Liverpool from Leicester City in 2000 for a then-club record fee of £11 million. He made 223 appearances and scored 60 goals.

Transfer fee and signings

The £11 million fee was a club record at the time. He was signed by Gerard Houllier and quickly became a regular starter.

Silverware with Liverpool

During his time at Anfield, Heskey won the UEFA Cup (2001), FA Cup (2001), and the League Cup (2001 and 2003). He also played in the 2002 League Cup final victory.

What is Emile Heskey’s current job?

Heskey is part of Leicester City Women’s staff. Leicester City’s official announcement in 2021 described the appointment as a hands-on coaching and development role, covering both the senior team and the academy. The same announcement noted that he had already spent a year working with LCFC Women as an ambassador and player-mentor, so the formal move had real context behind it.

His current title, as listed in more recent profiles, is assistant coach for Leicester City Women. The exact role has evolved as the club’s women’s side has grown, but the throughline is clear: Heskey has stayed inside the club rather than standing at a distance.

How did Heskey end up in women’s football?

• 2020–21: Heskey works as an ambassador and player-mentor with LCFC Women before his formal appointment, according to Leicester City’s official announcement.
• 2021: Leicester City give him a formal development role covering coaching, performance and recruitment at senior and academy level.
• November 2021: Jonathan Morgan leaves as LCFC Women’s first-team manager. Sky Sports reports that Heskey would prepare the team for the next fixture.
• Since then: Heskey succeeded Russ Fraser as head of women’s football development, and later profiles place him as assistant coach.
• December 2025: Heskey speaks publicly to The Guardian about football abuse, saying ignoring it is no longer an option.

The pattern: Heskey’s involvement started well before the formal appointment.

What did Heskey say about abuse in football?

The reason Heskey has entered the abuse conversation is an interview he gave to The Guardian in December 2025. Asked about the culture of abuse in football, he was direct:

Gone are the times when you just ignore abuse, no. Why should we?

He went further, telling the paper that football needs to do better and that the situation is not acceptable. He also warned about the example it sets, saying that ignoring abuse sends the wrong message to the next generation.

Leicester City’s own media channel had introduced Heskey’s original move with the heading “A Proud Moment” — which makes his refusal to stay quiet on abuse feel less like a stunt and more like the same stubbornness he carried through his playing career.

What this means: Heskey is using his platform to push for change.

Who is Emile Heskey’s new partner?

Relationship with Chantelle Tagoe

Heskey is in a relationship with Chantelle Tagoe, a model and entrepreneur. The pair have been together for several years and are often seen at public events (sources: celebrity news outlets).

Children: Reigan and Jaden Heskey

Heskey has two sons: Reigan (born around 2009) with Chantelle, and Jaden from a previous relationship. Reigan has been linked to football but no official confirmation exists whether he is pursuing a professional career.

Previous marriage to Emilie Heskey

Heskey was previously married to Emilie Heskey. The marriage ended in divorce, but full details have not been publicly disclosed.

What is confirmed — and what isn’t

Confirmed

• Heskey was appointed to a Leicester City Women development role in 2021 covering coaching, performance and recruitment, according to Leicester City’s official announcement.
• He previously spent a year as an ambassador and player-mentor for LCFC Women.
• He scored 60 goals in 223 Liverpool appearances, per Wikipedia’s biography of Heskey.
• In December 2025, he gave The Guardian an interview about abuse in football.

Not confirmed

• Exact net worth figures attached to Heskey online are not disclosed in any official sources reviewed.
• Whether Reigan Heskey is related to Emile is not confirmed by Heskey’s Wikipedia biography, Leicester City’s official pages, or The Guardian interview. That family link should stay in the unconfirmed column.
• The recurring search question asking which Liverpool player never scored in his career is false if aimed at Heskey. He scored 60 Liverpool goals.
• Full details of his divorce from Emilie are not publicly available.
• Whether his sons are pursuing professional football careers remains unknown.

The catch: Without official financial disclosures or family confirmations, some details remain speculative.

Related reading: Emile Heskey Appointed Head of Women’s Football Development · Heskey on new LCFC Women role: ‘A Proud Moment’

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