Pep Guardiola
Image credit: Getty Images
Manchester City has announced the appointment of former Arsenal and Manchester City player Kolo Toure into Pep Guardiola’s first-team coaching staff. The 44-year-old Ivorian defender has joined the team as a first-team backroom staff ahead of the 2025/26 season.
“Kolo brings immense experience and knowledge to our coaching staff,” said Director of Football Hugo Viana. “Not only does he have a deep connection with Manchester City, but he had a nurturing coaching style that has been hugely successful with our Under-18s. We’re delighted to have him on board permanently.”
Kolo Toure will become the next Arsenal star to serve under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City after Mikel Arteta. Arteta was appointed as an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in 2016. He returned to Arsenal in a managerial capacity in 2019 and won the FA Cup in his debut season.
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Toure’s appointment marks another step forward in Manchester City’s emphasis on creating a clear bridge between the Academy and first-team. His experience playing for both Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as his coaching roles at Celtic and Leicester City, will be invaluable to the team.
“We’ve been hugely impressed with his work and success with our Under-18s, and by adding him into our senior staff permanently, this will only strengthen the transition for players in our Academy into the first team,” added Viana.
Kolo Toure with Phil Foden
Former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure with Manchester City forward Phil Foden (Image credit: Getty Images)
Toure’s influence in the Academy has already been felt, with his work hailed for silverware contention and individual development of key talents. His ability to combine elite-level experience with a nurturing coaching style has made him a standout figure among City’s backroom staff.
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“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’re already looking forward to his work moving forward,” said Viana.
Beginning his career as a defender with ASEC Mimosas, Toure moved to English team Arsenal in 2002, where he made 326 appearances for the club and was a member of the 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ side. In 2009, he moved to Manchester City, where he was joined a year later by his younger brother, Yaya, helping City earn their first league title in 44 years. In 2013, Toure signed for Liverpool.
He is one of the ten players who have won the Premier League with two clubs, having won it with Arsenal and City. He also won the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup with Celtic. He remains to date the African player with the most Premier League appearances (353 in total).
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