Emile Heskey has revealed his intentions to take the leap and grab the chance to replace Greg Clarke as the head of the Football Association, should the opportunity arise.
“I know within football, I’m probably just as respected as anyone else,” he said in an interview.
Heskey believes appointing a black person as FA Chairperson would send a powerful message.
Clarke stepped aside as FA Chairman over comments he made to Members of Parliament while engaging in talks with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
The English public was strongly critical of controversial comments made by the 63-year-old including the use of the word “coloured” as well as saying that being gay is a “life choice”.
“You have to take that leap sometimes,” said Heskey.
While Healey admits it is unlikely, he added that appointing a black to the vacant role would send a powerful message.
“I would be very surprised if it was a black person. I’d be very surprised if it was anyone within football right now. I think there’s a network of people they tap into that doesn’t have anything to do with football and they’ll try to bring someone from there.”
The 42-year-old Leicester Women Ambassador Heskey, adds that the impact of COVID-19 on finances might force the FA to focus on candidates with sound business backgrounds.
“With Covid, there are problems with the economy so I’m guessing they would tap into someone else to try to boost the FA financially,” he concluded.
Heskey recently set up Player 4 Player. A consultancy firm that provides guidance for players after retirement.
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