Emile Heskey praises Man City Academy for development of sons

Emile Heskey has praised the coaches at Man City for the part they played in the development of his sons Jaden and Reigan.

The brothers joined City as youngsters and eventually made their senior debuts in the same Carabao Cup game against Huddersfield last season. Jaden remains a City player and is spending this season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, while Reigan joined Cologne permanently in July.

Heskey trusted Man City coaches with his sons

Heskey played professionally for more than two decades but chose not to get too involved when his sons were training at City.

“I always stood back,” he told The Independent.

“I never stood on the edge so my kids were looking over at me and thought I was overlooking them and scrutinising everything they did. I took a stance back, so that they never saw me – they weren’t looking over so they could actually concentrate on the coaches’ principles.”

Heskey was happy to leave the coaching to City and says there were occasions when conversations with his sons proved how much they were learning.

“I found out that they actually knew more than me,” he said. Football wasn’t routinely discussed on the journey home either. “I generally wouldn’t talk to my kids [about football] after training because I’d just let them do what they’re doing. They’re kids.”

Heskey believes parents can sometimes become too involved in their children’s football. “When you look at pushy parents, who is it for? Is it for them or is it for the child?”

Jaden joined City at Under-9 level and is now back at Sheffield Wednesday for a second loan spell. Reigan spent 11 years in the academy before completing his permanent move to Cologne during the summer.

Heskey has no doubts about the help they received at City.

“They’ve both been talented and they were lucky enough to go to an academy that helped with their progression, helped with their structure, helped with everything to make them the best possible players they could be.

“Sometimes you’re best to take a step back because the reality is it’s not my career, it’s theirs.”

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