Yaya Toure has joined the Saudi Arabia nationwide staff as assistant coach to Roberto Mancini, his supervisor at Manchester Metropolis between 2009 and 2013.
Toure left the identical function at Belgian membership Normal Liege after simply fourth months, having additionally held transient teaching positions at Ukraine’s Olimpik Donetsk, Russia’s Akhmat Grozny and Tottenham Hotspur’s academy. His newest job is the fifth in a bit of over two-and-a-half years.
Toure represented Metropolis from 2010 to 2018, profitable three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two League Cup trophies. Two of those got here below Mancini, who signed him in the summertime of 2010 and reworked him right into a extra attacking participant.
The previous Ivory Coast midfielder, who’s Muslim, wrote on X, previously Twitter: “When Roberto requested if I’d be part of him in Saudi Arabia for this vital venture, whereas it was tough to step away from Normal Liege, I knew it was the best transfer for me. I’ve all the time appeared as much as Roberto – so to work with him and be taught from him is an ideal match.
“Being a part of soccer in Saudi Arabia offers me a possibility to work in a Muslim nation for the primary time in my profession. That is one thing I’ve all the time needed to do. I can not wait to get out on the sphere and begin teaching at an thrilling time for the sport in Saudi Arabia!”
“Though it was brief, optimistic recollections of my time at Normal Liege won’t ever depart me,” he added of his time in Belgium. “I now have a particular bond with this nice membership. The followers are unimaginable. Their ardour for his or her membership is unbelievable. They welcomed me into their membership and I’m grateful to them for this.”
Mancini took over the Saudi nationwide aspect in August this 12 months, having resigned from managing Italy after 5 years. He received the 2020 European Championship with the Azzurri however didn’t qualify for the following World Cup, and has taken a lot of his again room workers with him – together with ex-Juventus and Crystal Palace man Attilio Lombardo.
Saudi Arabia presently sit 57th within the FIFA world rankings and are scheduled to host the 2034 World Cup, a call that has been closely criticised.
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