Yaya Toure reveals Premier League dream after landing a new job

The former Ivory Coast international opened up on his coaching career after securing a new role in Belgium.

Yaya Toure has expressed a desire to become a Premier League manager in the future.

On July 1, Toure began his new job as an assistant coach at Standard Liege. The 40-year-old announced his move to the Belgian club on social media last month following a season in charge of Tottenham’s Under-16 squad.

Toure hopes the role will help him on his path to becoming a manager. For now, though, he is happy to learn from his current boss, Carl Hoefkens.

“For me, I have to go step after step. I am on a learning journey,” Toure told PA Sport about his coaching dream.

“I am very open to everything, just carrying on what I am doing.”

The Ivorian played in the Premier League as a midfielder for Manchester City from 2010 to 2018. He made 316 appearances for the club, supplying 79 goals and 49 assists. His efforts paid off with three league titles, two EFL Cups, and an FA Cup.

“Why not the Premier League?” he said on becoming a coach in the English top flight.

“I don’t know how long it is going to take, maybe sooner or later, for me I am always open to it.

“I know it’s going to be a big challenge and coaches’ jobs are becoming tougher and tougher. You see coaches surviving for a maximum of four or five months.

“That is what it is now, that is the reality.”

In the interview, Toure also refused to rule out a return to Tottenham. Aside from Spurs, he has held coaching positions at Ukrainian side Olimpik Donetsk and Russian team Akhmat Grozny.

I would like to thank everyone at the Tottenham Hotspur academy for their support in the 18 months I spent with the club.

A special media to Dean Rastrick, Chris Powell and all the young players.

Thank you 👊🏾

— Yaya Touré (@YayaToure) June 20, 2023