Chance to work with Roberto Mancini in Saudi Arabia too tempting for Yaya Toure

Yaya Toure has left Belgian club Standard Liege to reunite with Roberto Mancini as his assistant of the Saudi Arabia national team.

Toure has had several backroom roles since ending a distinguished playing career four years ago and only joined Liege in June after a spell as an academy coach at Premier League outfit Tottenham.

But the Ivorian felt the chance to work again with the coach who in July 2010 signed him for Manchester City – where they won the Premier League and the FA Cup – was too tempting to turn down.

“I have always looked up to Roberto – so to work with him and learn from him is a perfect fit,” Toure said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Being part of football in Saudi Arabia gives me an opportunity to work in a Muslim country for the first time in my career. This is something I have always wanted to do.

I cannot wait to get out on the field and start coaching at an exciting time for the game in Saudi Arabia!

— Yaya Touré (@YayaToure) November 3, 2023

“When Roberto asked if I would join him in Saudi Arabia for this important project, while it was difficult to step away from Standard Liege, I knew it was the right move for me.

“Being part of football in Saudi Arabia gives me an opportunity to work in a Muslim country for the first time in my career. This is something I have always wanted to do.

“Although it was short, positive memories of my time at Standard Liege will never leave me – I now have a special bond with this great club.”

Mancini was appointed as the new manager of Saudi Arabia in August, two weeks after stepping down as Italy head coach. He has lost three of his first four matches in charge, with one draw.