Emile Heskey, former England international and Premier League forward, has shared insights into his approach to parenting and nurturing football talent, drawing on his own experience to guide his two sons, Jaden and Reigan Heskey, through the competitive English academy system. Both sons are currently professional players affiliated with Manchester City. Jaden, 20, is on his second loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday this year, while 18-year-old Reigan has embarked on a loan stint with German club Koln, following a pathway previously taken by other City prospects such as Jadon Sancho, Jamie Gittens, and Felix Nmecha.
Heskey highlighted the importance of early exposure and passion for the game, recalling that Jaden’s interest in football started around the age of three or four. “He loved going to the games, the atmosphere. He just programmed himself to be the professional footballer that he wanted to be,” Heskey said. Reigan followed, inspired by his older brother and also benefiting from the structured environment of Manchester City’s academy, which has played a crucial role in their development.
The former Liverpool, Leicester, and Aston Villa striker acknowledged that his professional background opened doors for his sons but emphasized that their progress ultimately depended on their own efforts. “You’ve got to produce something, then you’ve got to really learn,” Heskey said, praising his eldest son’s capacity to quickly absorb coaching instructions. He also underlined the significance of quality coaching in shaping young players during their formative years, noting that early experiences with coaches can either foster or hinder a player’s growth.
Beyond technical training, Heskey stressed the role of parents in supporting young athletes. He chose to maintain a respectful distance from his sons’ football careers, avoiding pressure or over-involvement. “I never stood on the edge so my kids were looking over at me and thought I was overlooking them and scrutinizing everything they did,” Heskey explained. He refrained from leveraging his social media presence, which has nearly 100,000 followers, to build their profiles prematurely and preferred to allow his sons to focus on their development without distraction.
Heskey criticized overly controlling or “pushy” parents, questioning whose interests such behavior serves. “Is it for them or is it for the child? I don’t think it’s for the child, especially some of the times where you hear the way the parents talk to them,” he said. He revealed that he refrained from discussing football with his sons immediately after training sessions to let them enjoy their childhood.
As his sons entered middle adolescence, Heskey recognized the need to increase his involvement by asking more probing questions about their progress and mindset. However, his overall approach remains rooted in balancing support with autonomy, allowing his sons to chart their own paths within the highly demanding world of professional football.