Yaya Touré celebrates ‘dream’ appointment as Slovan Bratislava head coach

Yaya Touré has expressed clear joy and pride after being appointed head coach of ŠK Slovan Bratislava, marking the first senior managerial role of his career.

The former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder, now 43, has signed a three-year deal with the Slovak champions running until June 2029.

The appointment comes immediately after his departure from his role as assistant coach with the Saudi Arabia men’s national team, as he steps into full leadership of a club side for the first time.

From the outset, Touré framed the move as a personal milestone and a long-awaited opportunity to lead his own project.

“Proud to be appointed Head Coach of @SKSlovan 💙 I’m looking forward to working with the players, staff and leadership as we begin this new chapter together. To the fans – we are together in our mission and you will be central in our success,” Toure wrote on X.

The message underlined his enthusiasm for the role, with a strong focus on unity, collaboration and building a shared mission with supporters and the wider club structure.

Long-awaited step into senior management

Touré’s appointment represents a significant breakthrough in his coaching journey after several years of apprenticeship across different environments.

He has previously worked in youth development at Tottenham Hotspur and served as an assistant coach at Olimpik Donetsk, Akhmat Grozny and Standard Liège.

His most prominent recent role came within Roberto Mancini’s technical team during their time with the Saudi Arabia national team, where he gained experience in international management at the highest level.

Speaking to the ŠK Slovan Bratislava Official Website, Touré made clear that the desire to take full control of a team had been building for some time.

“As an assistant, I had the opportunity to work with Robert Mancini, for example, but I’ve longed for a long time to be able to work on my own project as a head coach,” Touré explained.

The statement reflects both his gratitude for previous learning experiences and his eagerness to finally step into a role where he can implement his own vision.

Club backing and immediate start

Slovan Bratislava, reigning Slovak champions and one of the country’s most successful sides, moved quickly to secure Touré’s services on a long-term deal. Club officials expressed confidence in his leadership qualities and football intelligence during the selection process.

CEO Ivan Kmotrík Jr. highlighted Touré’s elite playing pedigree and motivation as key factors behind the appointment.

Touré is expected to meet his new squad on Monday morning, where he will officially begin pre-season preparations and take early steps in shaping his coaching staff, as he starts a new chapter he has openly described with excitement and pride.