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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Yaya Toure hails Tottenham U18 group as ‘so smart and so clever’ as Man City legend continues coaching journey

Yaya Toure has hailed Tottenham’s U18 group as “so smart and so clever”.

The Ivorian, a legend in the Premier League after his glittering spell with Manchester City, is working at Spurs as part of his coaching badges.

Living in Hampstead, Toure was keen to find a local team to work with as he continues to work towards a UEFA A-Licence.

While Toure does not have any direct involvement with Antonio Conte’s first-team, Standard Sport understand the 38-year-old is open to a more formal role at the club should the opportunity arise.

Currently, the former City and Barcelona midfielder spends a couple of days a week at Spurs’ Enfield training base, working with an U18 side sitting 11th in the southern division.

Striker Dane Scarlett and midfielder Alfie Devine, who have both played for the first-team, are in their ranks in a team managed by former reserve team player Stuart Lewis.

Speaking to The Times, Toure said: “It’s important I go through the steps. I’m working with the academy now, it’s a nice step to learn.

“The Under-18s passion is incredible and they are so smart and so clever. You can set up tactics and one of them will ask a question you have not thought about.”

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