Yaya Toure: Ivory Coast Legend Named Assistant Coach of Saudi Arabia

• Yaya Toure has been named the assistant coach of Saudi Arabia
• The former Manchester City player will work with Roberto Mancini
• Toure leaves Belgium outfit Standard Liege to pursue his new role

Former Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder, Yaya Toure has been appointed the assistant coach of Saudi Arabia.

The 40-year-old will assist Italian manager Roberto Mancini on the technical bench of the Green Eagles with immediate effect after leaving Belgium outfit Standard Liege.

The Ivory Coast legend has been honing his managerial skills since hanging up his boots in 2019.

"The Saudi Football Federation announced the contract with Ivorian Yaya Toure as first assistant to the national team’s technical director, Roberto Mancini. The contract with him came at the coach’s request to include him among his technical staff for the coming period," wrote the official website of Saudi Arabia's football federation.

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Toure's coaching career has seen him work with Ukrainian side Olympic Donetsk, Russia's Akhmat Grozny, and Belgium's Standard Liege.

"Although it was short, positive memories of my time at Standard Liege will never leave me - I now have a special bond with this great club. The fans are incredible. Their passion for their club is unbelievable. They welcomed me into their club and I am thankful to them for this," wrote Toure on social media as he bid farewell to Standard Liege.

"I want to thank Fergal Harkin and all the staff for their support and friendship. I will miss Coach Carl, his coaching team and of course the players. They will do all they can to achieve this season. I encourage the fans to continue to give them all your positive support," he added.

He also worked as the U18 coach of English Premier League club, Tottenham Hotspur.

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The decision to move to Saudi Arabia came at the request of Mancini.

Toure enjoyed a stellar career, winning several titles including the Africa Cup of Nations and the UEFA Champions League.

Yaya Toure named AFCON 2023 ambassador

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Toure was named as an ambassador for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next year.

The 40-year-old was announced as an ambassador for the tournament at a short ceremony in Abidjan.

Toure was joined by other former Ivory Coast players, including ex-Swansea City forward Wilfried Bony, as faces of the tournament.