Football manager promised dream job told he'll never see family again in terrifying kidnap

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In a chilling reminder that even famous sports stars aren't immune from the world's darkest horrors, Everton icon and long-time MLS manager Adrian Heath has revealed the harrowing details of a kidnapping plot that nearly cost him his life.

What began as a promising career opportunity in the Saudi Pro League devolved into a two-day nightmare in Morocco, where the 65-year-old was held at knifepoint and forced to negotiate for his survival.

The crux of the ordeal, which occurred in November 2024 but remained private until now, centres on a sophisticated "phantom job" scam. Heath was lured to North Africa under the guise of a final interview with Saudi officials, only to be abducted by an organised criminal gang.

Faced with death threats and isolation in a remote location, Heath's life hung in the balance as his family worked desperately with international authorities to secure his release.

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The story began in the months following Heath's departure from Minnesota United in 2023. As a veteran coach with a high profile - he'd managed Ballon d'Or winner Kaka at Orlando City - he was a natural target for recruiters. When a representative contacted him about a lucrative coaching role in Saudi Arabia, the offer appeared legitimate.

Documents were exchanged, visas were discussed and a meeting was eventually set up in Morocco - presented as a convenient middle ground to meet with a high-ranking official involved in the club.

However, the 'adventure' took a dark turn immediately upon his arrival in Morocco. After being met at the airport by three men he believed were part of the club's welcoming party, Heath was ushered into a four-door sedan. As the vehicle left the city lights behind and veered into an increasingly desolate and run-down area, the reality of his situation began to sink in.

The car eventually stopped in quiet harbour town and Heath was led into a small apartment building that was sparsely-furnished and full of smoke. Initially, the men were polite and even offered him a drink. But things soon turned ugly.

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"You obviously realise that this isn't what you thought it was going to be," one man said to Heath. "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 kids and your grandkids."

His captors took his wallet and his phone and demanded he called his wife Jane to ask her to wire them some money, apparently a sum "well into the six figures". Thinking on his feet, Heath explained that it was the middle of the night in the US, so organising a bank transfer wouldn't be possible until the morning.

"I was just thinking of ways to sort of try to string it out," Heath told The Athletic . "To find out how strong we were with this."

For the next 24 hours, Heath was held the apartment, subjected to psychological torture and repeated threats. When morning broke in the States, he was ordered to call Jane. One man held the phone in front of Adrian's face with the speaker turned on, before brandishing a huge knife.

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"What's going on?" she asked.

"I need you to transfer some money," he answered. "Listen to what I’m saying. I need you to transfer some money."

Jane then made a split-second decision. "Adrian, we changed bank accounts less than 12 months ago," she replied. "You're the head name on it. I can't transfer any money without you there."

The news sparked fury among the captors, who then ended the call. In response, Jane immediately began phoning around for help before eventually being put in touch with the FBI, triggering a high-level international rescue effort.

The family was also able to work out where Adrian was being held since the kidnappers had neglected to turn off the location services on his phone - and passed the information on to law enforcement.

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Back in Morocco, Heath leaned into negotiations with the kidnappers. "Listen, I don't know how this is going to end up, but bottom line, you're not getting any money," he told them. "You can see that the only chance you've got in getting any money is me going home and me wiring it to you. From there, you're gonna have to trust me, but that's where we are."

Heath said the knife came out again as they argued. But minutes later, things suddenly changed. "It was like a light switch was flicked," Heath said. "[I was told] 'Get your gear, I'm taking you to the airport.'"

The men rushed Heath out of the house, bungled him back into the sedan and drove him to the airport. Upon arrival, he was shoved out and the car sped off. The $600 (£446) Heath had arrived with had been stolen, but thankfully, his wallet, phone and passport hadn't.

Heath ran inside and booked the earliest flight to Europe. Anywhere. Any price. It didn't matter. Half an hour later he was on his way to Madrid, having survived a terrifying brush with death. He FaceTimed Jane from the gate. "To say he looked like s*** is an understatement," she said.

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Reflecting on the trauma a year later, Heath remains focused on the perspective the event provided. "At times it seems surreal," he said. "It was like the longest and quickest three days of my life. It gives everyone a chance to re-evaluate your life and what's actually important. And the only important thing is your family. Everything else is secondary."

The investigation into the fraudulent consortium remains open in both the US and England. Meanwhile, Heath is advocating for better security protocols for out-of-work managers, hoping that by sharing his story, he can ensure that no other coach has to wonder if the game they love will be the thing that ends their life.

Heath made over 300 appearances for Everton in the 1980s, winning two league titles and the FA Cup . He also played for Manchester City , Aston Villa , Burnley and Stoke City - and became one of the first British players to play in La Liga after signing for Espanyol.