‘There may be arguments, especially if it’s to do with money’
Someone who knows the reality of what awaits Coleen is fellow WAG Chantelle Heskey, who witnessed firsthand what life is like after professional football when her husband, former England player Emile, retired in 2010.
Chantelle, 37, who first met Emile, 43, in 2002, says, “It’s important after retirement that Coleen keeps Wayne occupied. I’m sure she is already, but Coleen just needs to be there for him. Emile is a homebody, so I’d try to make him get out of the house. I’d suggest Coleen do the same and encourage Wayne to have his own life outside of the family and to keep going to the gym, because footballers are used to being very active. It’s all about keeping the mind active too.”
While Emile continues to have a career in football as a coach for Leicester
City’s women’s team, most players aren’t as fortunate, and Chantelle has seen the consequences of that.
The mum-of-four says, “It was a bit of a struggle after retirement, unless you are going straight into a job. Emile’s getting there now, but it’s taken a while. A lot of players end up going downhill, and there’s not much help from the FA. I can’t imagine what it’s like going from the buzz of playing at a stadium in front of thousands of fans to being just you, your family and your four walls.
“For Emile, it was the boredom he struggled with most. He missed the fun and the camaraderie of the changing room. He didn’t know what to do with himself being home all the time and not having his daily routine. I could see it was hard for him. I think Coleen will have to watch out for this, but Wayne will still have the buzz of being with his team at least.
“Back when Emile was playing football and before
I met him, he wouldn’t even open his own mail. He’d send it to the accountant. Footballers don’t understand real life, they’re wrapped in cotton wool. Retirement is a massive life change – some players might feel like a bit of a failure after what they’ve been doing all their lives just ends and they have nothing to fall back on. It’s a challenging time and I can understand why it might cause arguments – especially if it’s to do with money. I hope Coleen and Wayne don’t fall down this trap.
“With it being such a short career – you retire in your 30s – the money you made in football may be all you’ve got for the rest of your life. A lot of the players want to do something footballrelated, but there’s not that many careers in it unless you get one of the big TV contracts. Most TV work is short-term, which is difficult if you’re relying on it as a source of income.
“You’ve got to be sensible with your money, even with millions in the bank. Luckily my husband was never into gambling, but I’ve seen footballers lose houses and go from the top to the bottom in just a few months. But this is why Emile – along with four other former footballers – has launched a support group, Player 4 Player, which offers help for those making the transition into life after football, to ensure no one feels alone.”