Former Manchester City winner Yaya Toure has returned to the Premier League as a coach at Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur, agent Dmitry Selyuk tells Sport24.
The Etihad legend bounced around some of Europe’s lesser-known leagues before becoming a household name at Barcelona, enjoying spells in Belgium, Ukraine and Greece.
And it seems that Toure’s coaching career is following a rather similar trend.
The former Ivory Coast international spent four months working as an assistant coach at Ukranian outfit Olimpik Donetsk before moving on to Russian club Akhmat Grozny in June.
But, after being pictured at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground earlier in December, his agent has now confirmed that Toure is back in England as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation looks to make a name for himself on the touchline too.
Is Yaya Toure a future Premier League manager?
“Yaya is leaving Akhmat and will continue his studies and his career in England,” says Selyuk.
“Many thanks to the president and the management of Akhmat for giving Yaya the opportunity to plunge himself into the world of coaching, share ideas and learn something for himself.”
Toure, Selyuk adds, spent time working individually with a number of Akhmat players. Striker Mohamed Konate, in particular, appears to have benefitted from the 38-year-old’s expertise.
“Yaya is glad that he was at Akhmat. And I think his advice and personal participation in training, in individual work with (Mohamed) Konate and (Senin) Sebai are giving results,” ” he says.
“We see Mohamed progressing and scoring goals. I am sure that Yaya will achieve great results in his work, as he loves football and is ready to work 24 hours a day.
“No wonder (Mikel) Arteta recently said in an interview that the doors of Arsenal are always open for him.
“Yaya now works at Tottenham. I think that soon after receiving the (UEFA A coaching) license we will see him at the helm of a good team.”
Arteta worked with Toure during his time under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
And the Arsenal boss told told The Sun last week that the three-time Premier League champion would be welcome at the Emirates should he wish to continue his coaching journey in North London.
Instead, Toure appears to have taken up an offer from Arsenal’s near neighbours.
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