Foxes legend lands role as head of women’s football development

Leicester City FC has appointed Emile Heskey as the club’s new head of women’s football development.

A Leicester City legend with over 500 appearances and 110 goals across his Premier League career, along with 62 caps for England, Heskey steps into an executive position for the first time, having spent the last 12 months in an ambassadorial and player mentoring role for LCFC Women. The role was designed to support his development through UEFA’s Executive Master for International Players (MIP) programme, which he commenced in late 2019, furthering his education in the administration of the game.

A Leicester City Academy graduate, Heskey lent his experience to the establishment of the LCFC Women Academy Pathway and will continue to seek ways in which to improve opportunities for young female players in the region.

He will work alongside general manager Jade Morgan, who will continue to oversee LCFC Women’s operational and commercial functions. Former head of women’s football Russ Fraser has left the club to join Liverpool.

Leicester City chief executive Susan Whelan said: “Emile’s appointment to this new role is another exciting step forward for LCFC Women – part of a new structure that will provide clarity and purpose to all those supporting the development of women’s football in Leicestershire. From the First Team through to the Academy, we have a strong network of support in place to drive our vision.

“Emile’s credibility in the game – built through years of experience as a player at Premier League and international level – speaks for itself. What we have seen in the last 12 months is someone with the capability and acumen to apply that experience and knowledge in a position of leadership, raising standards during what has been an important transitional period. Those skills will be invaluable to us moving forward, as we continue to adapt to the demands of the FA Women’s Super League.

“I’m excited to see what Emile will bring to the role, particularly in strengthening the collaboration with our men’s operation, enabling greater efficiencies through the sharing of best practice and appropriate expertise to the overall benefit of the club.”

Heskey said: “This is a fantastic opportunity. I’ve loved every minute of working with LCFC Women in the last year. We have a strong infrastructure of staff, a talented squad of players and excellent backing from the club to go on and make a sustained impact on the women’s game. Susan in particular has been a real driver in this, taking the decision to host matches at King Power Stadium to increase exposure and to move the women’s team into Belvoir Drive to give us an elite facility in which to operate every day.

“The club has made a lot of progress in a short period of time since turning professional, which means we have some work to do to make sure our progress is sustainable. Through ensuring we have appropriate guidance and support in place for our players and staff, I’m confident we’ll achieve that and successfully establish the club among the leading teams in the women’s game.”

LCFC Women began their first season in the FA Women’s Super League in September, following promotion from the FA Women’s Championship last season. The team was professionalised in the summer of 2020 after being acquired by King Power International and becoming a core asset within Leicester City’s football operation.