Kolo Toure has been promoted as an assistant coach of the Manchester City first team having been head coach of the Under-18 squad, Afrosport reports.
The Ivory Coast legend’s coaching journey began in his home country with the Under-23 national team in 2017 before being promoted as an assistant coach for the senior national team that participated at the 2018 African Nations Championship.
Toure went on to be a first team coach at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers who he played under while at Liverpool between 2013 and 2015. He also followed the Northern Irish man to Leicester City.
The 44-year-old got his first senior managerial role with Wigan Athletic in November 2022 but was dismissed in January 2023 after a poor run of results.
He joined City in July 2024 to head the Under-18 squad while his promotion to the first team began at the just-concluded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States where the Citizens reached the round of 16.
He will now work on a permanent basis with head coach Pep Guardiola along with former Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders and former Liverpool set-piece coach James French.
“We’re delighted to permanently add Kolo to our first team coaching staff,” City director of football Hugo Viana said in a statement on the club website.
“Not only does he bring his immensely precious experience at football’s elite level, but he also has a deep connection with Manchester City and a deep knowledge of the club.
“We have been hugely impressed with his work and success with our under-18s and adding him into our senior staff permanently will only strengthen the transition for players in our academy into the first team
“As we already saw throughout his time with Pep Guardiola, Pep Lijnders and James French this summer, his massive personality of optimism and positivity is hugely infectious and we are already looking forward to his work moving forward.”
We’re delighted to confirm the permanent appointment of Kolo Toure to Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff 🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 15, 2025
Toure played 102 times for Man City between 2009 and 2013, winning the Premier League and Community Shield.
He also played for Arsenal between 2002 and 2009, winning five titles including the invincible Premier League crown in 2004, and featured for Celtic, winning the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup.
