Manchester City have officially confirmed Kolo Toure’s permanent addition to Pep Guardiola’s coaching team.
The Premier League champions made the announcement on Tuesday, noting that the former Ivorian international will now serve as a full-time first team assistant coach.
“After performing the role of first team assistant coach during the Club’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign this summer, the 44-year-old will remain in the position on a full-time basis,” City stated.
Toure, a former defensive stalwart for both Arsenal and City during his playing days, returns to the senior fold after impressing with City’s Under-18 squad last season.
“It comes after the Ivorian – who helped both Arsenal and City to Premier League success during an illustrious playing career, enjoyed a hugely successful season serving as Assistant Lead Coach with City’s Under-18s last term.
“Working alongside Lead Coach Oliver Reiss, the former Ivory Coast defender helped pilot the City youngsters to the Premier League Under-18 North title, our Under-18s then narrowly edged out 1-0 at Aston Villa in the National final.
“Alongside Reiss, Toure also guided the young Blues through to the FA Youth Cup final before we were pipped to the trophy by Villa.”
Prior to his time at City’s academy, Toure gathered valuable coaching experience, having held roles with the Ivory Coast national team, Glasgow Celtic, and Leicester City under Brendan Rodgers.
He also had a short managerial stint at Wigan Athletic.
Toure also boasts extensive coaching experience away from City, having initially worked with the Ivory Coast national set-up before then spending time at both Glasgow Celtic and Leicester City as part of Brendan Rodgers’ coaching team.
“Before joining the City Academy coaching set-up, Kolo also undertook a brief spell in charge at Wigan Athletic.
