Former City star was 'kidnapped and held for six-figure ransom after fake Saudi job offer'

The FBI and National Crime Agency are investigating Adrian Heath's allegations

Former Manchester City footballer Adrian Heath was kidnapped and threatened with a knife after a fake offer of a coaching job in Saudi Arabia, it has been reported.

Heath, who spent three seasons at City playing 68 times, had travelled to Morocco for what he believed was a lucrative managerial role. But the former MLS manager's experience quickly turned to terror when he was held captive by three thugs who tried to extort a 'six-figure sum' from him, it has been alleged.

The FBI and the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) are both believed to be investigating Heath's ordeal and allegations that at least one other manager had also been affected.

The NCA said: "We can confirm officers from the NCA are investigating allegations linked to a fake football consortium who are offering professional footballers employment, which has resulted in threats of violence and the transfer of monies with no employment or contracts actually existing. As our investigation is ongoing, we are not able to provide any further information at this time."

Heath, now 65, spent six years at Everton winning two First Division titles and the FA Cup before joining City.

He reportedly had been invited to meet 'the sheikh' at one of his 'several hotels and businesses' in the region to discuss the role. He had even sought reassurances from trusted contacts, including Steven Gerrard, to discuss football in Saudi Arabia.

But after being picked up by two men who greeted him with flowers Heath was driven to a small harbour town and taken into a room where he was held captive.

Speaking to The Athletic, Heath said one of the men told him: "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 two kids and your grandkids."

After Heath told his captors that his wife Jane could not send the money because it was the end of the working day in the United States, he was threatened with a knife.

Heath, who refused to pay any money to the three men, added: "I started thinking about all the good stuff about my life. My wife. My children. My grandkids."

His captors had forgotten to turn off Heath's location services on his phone and his family in the States had 'an aggressive phone call' with the agent who initially set up the meeting and showed a screenshot of the location. Heath's son Harrison, a former Miami FC player, also had contact with an official who worked in New York's FBI office.

After the kidnappers knew Heath's family had their location, 'a light switch was flicked' and they told the veteran coach and former player that he was being taken to the airport. He was released and sprinted through the airport's security to safety before he flew back to America via Madrid.

The FBI, who refused to confirm or deny their involvement in the case, were said to have provided round-the-clock security for the Heaths for the next 28 days.

Heath notified the League Managers' Association (LMA) about his experiences to prevent a similar incident happening in the future. A new protocol is said to have been introduced for managers to run offers or interviews through the union so it can confirm details through the corresponding federation.

Heath said: "It was like the longest and quickest three days of my life. It gives everyone a chance to re-evaluate their life and what's actually important. And the only important thing is your family. Everything else is secondary."

Heath made more than 300 appearances for Everton, scoring 93 goals in all competitions. He went on to play for Espanyol in Spain, Manchester City and Burnley in a glittering career. After he retired he moved into coaching, first in England and more recently in the States. His most recent appointment was a seven-year stint as the boss of MLS club Minnesota United.