Yaya Toure takes first head-coach role at Champions League side Slovan Bratislava

Yaya Toure has been appointed head coach of Slovan Bratislava on a three-year contract, the Slovakian champions confirmed this weekend, handing the former Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder his first senior managerial role.

Toure, 41, arrives in Bratislava having spent several years building his coaching credentials as an assistant across Europe and beyond. His stops included Olimpik Donetsk, Akhmat Grozny, Standard Liege, and most recently the Saudi Arabia national team, where he worked under former City manager Roberto Mancini. He also had a brief spell at Tottenham Hotspur’s academy.

The appointment carries a particular resonance for Toure given his history with Manchester City. Slovan faced City in the Champions League in 2024, losing 4-0, and Toure cited that match as evidence of his new club’s standing. “I appreciate that this opportunity is coming at a top club, which I recently watched in a Champions League match against Manchester City,” he said. “I really can’t wait for Monday; I’m excited about what lies ahead.”

Toure was also impressed by what he found on arrival. “I was very pleasantly surprised by the club’s facilities, which are truly top-notch,” he added. “With Slovan, I want to play dominant soccer, win games, and control matches so that we can delight our fans.”

His ambitions for the playing side are clear, though he is measured about the process of getting to know his squad. “I’ve already tried to study the team in as much detail as possible, but the most important thing will still be to see how the players react during training,” he said.

Toure inherits a squad that won the Slovak Super Liga under Vladimir Weiss, meaning Slovan will compete in next season’s Champions League — and could potentially face City again. However, unlike City, who enter at the league phase, Slovan must navigate the qualifying rounds. They enter at the second qualifying round, with the draw scheduled for June 17, and must win three successive two-legged ties to reach the league phase.