At the end of last year, Yaya Toure turned up at Hotspur Way in a Tottenham tracksuit and his work at the club has continued. Toure played for the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona during his career, making over 300 appearances for the former, scoring 79 goals and registering 49 assists in the process.
It has been a couple of years since the 38-year-old's retirement and his focus has now turned to the coaching side of football, which has brought him to north London. Toure found success in his career, winning silverware in the Premier League, La Liga and Champions League and will hope he can be as successful once he starts managing his own side.
Toure was thought to be spending a couple of days at the Spurs training camp to work with the academy staff and players, as he works towards his UEFA A Licence coaching badge, sponsored by the Welsh FA. However, football.london reported that he was believed to be open to extending his stay with the Lilywhites and working with academy manager Dean Rastrick, his staff and the development squad players.
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Toure is now close to completing his badge, which would help him start his career in football management. In a recent interview with The Times, Toure explained that making steps towards his coaching career was an easy decision.
"When I stopped playing, I knew straight away what I wanted to do," he admitted. "I need to share my knowledge and experience once I finish my badges."
The Ivorian explained that it was a conversation with Rastrick that paved his way to start working with the young Lilywhites and he was invited at the back end of last year. During the interview, Toure spoke about coaching and what he would be like, managing his own side.
"It is important when the player goes onto the field that he understands all the details. Some coaches are using their hands and shouting but when the stadium is full, you can’t hear him. I love football, I love it when it’s attractive with a lot of desire, commitment and energy. Fans are attracted by that."
The ex-City player has already begun his coaching career, becoming an assistant manager at Ukrainian team FC Olimpik Donetsk and then Russian team FC Akhmat Grozny, last year. He only stayed at both clubs for a few months and explained why, in the recent interview.
"I was impatient when I took the assistant management jobs in Russia and Ukraine but now I am patient," he admitted. "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."
Toure is clearly enjoying his time at Tottenham so far, which means he is in and around the same camp as Conte. The 38-year-old was asked about the first team boss in the interview, but admitted he hasn't had yet had a chance to sit down with him for a proper conversation.
"He’s busy, I don’t think he has a lot of time for chatting," Toure said, as he explained he has just said "hi" to the Italian. The former midfielder is clearly working hard towards gaining his coaching badges so that he can go on to become the successful manager he seems to be determined to be.
