Yaya Toure set to make Champions League history with Slovan Bratislava

Former Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure says he is entering a “new era” as he prepares to become the first African-born coach to lead a team in the UEFA Champions League.

Toure, 43, will make history when his Slovan Bratislava side face reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the league phase of the competition on Wednesday.

The Ivorian took charge of Slovan in July after leaving his role as an assistant coach with the Saudi Arabia national team.

He has since guided the Slovakian champions through three qualifying rounds to reach the lucrative league phase, completing an impressive start to his managerial career at the club.

Slovan have dominated domestic football in Slovakia, winning the league title in each of the past eight seasons.

“It is true that it feels a bit strange,” Toure told reporters in Paris on the eve of the match against PSG.

“But on a personal level it is really nice. This is an important new era. We can say that things are now changing and moving forward.”

Toure said the opportunity demonstrated a growing willingness among European clubs to give opportunities to young African coaches.

“There are people who are brave enough to take young coaches, who are eager to work, who want to move things forward in a positive way,” he added.

He also praised Slovan’s management, including former Slovakia striker Robert Vittek, who is now the club’s sporting director, for trusting him with the position.

“Because it’s not easy. It’s very, very difficult for us. We have to work two or three times harder,” Toure said.

From Champions League winner to history-maker

Toure has considerable experience of the Champions League as a player, having been part of the Barcelona side coached by Pep Guardiola that won the competition in 2009.

He also enjoyed a highly successful career at Manchester City, where he became one of the Premier League club’s most influential midfielders.

The former Ivory Coast captain won 97 international caps before moving into coaching.

While Africans have previously been involved in Champions League dugouts, no African-born coach had led a team in the competition before Toure.

There have been coaches born in Africa who represented European countries, including Portugal’s Carlos Queiroz and Paulo Fonseca, both born in Mozambique, and former France international Jean Tigana, who was born in Bamako, Mali.

Toure’s achievement therefore represents a significant milestone for African coaches seeking opportunities at the highest level of European football.

Slovan face daunting PSG test

Slovan began the domestic season strongly, winning their first four league matches, but have since suffered back-to-back defeats ahead of their trip to Paris.

Despite that setback, Toure insists his side have nothing to lose against Luis Enrique’s PSG, who are seeking to defend their European crown.

Slovan endured a difficult campaign the last time they reached the Champions League league phase, losing all eight of their matches two seasons ago.

But Toure is relishing the opportunity to test his team against one of Europe’s leading sides.

“It is a pleasure,” he said.

“Luis Enrique is a great coach and one of the best around just now. So to play against his team is just a pleasure.”

For Toure, however, the occasion represents more than simply another Champions League fixture. It is an opportunity to break new ground for African coaches on European football’s biggest club stage.