UMVA has learned that former Manchester City and Barcelona star Yaya Touré has stepped into the managerial spotlight, bringing his fierce passion for the game to the helm of Slovakia’s most storied club.
At 43, the Ivorian midfielder retired from playing in 2020 after brief spells in China and a short stint at Olympiakos. Since hanging up his boots, he has pursued coaching badges and accrued assistant roles across Europe and the Middle East, including spells at Olimpik Donetsk, Akhmat Grozny, Standard Liège, and a recent tenure in Saudi Arabia.
In the 2022-23 season, he even steered Tottenham Hotspur’s under‑19 squad, sharpening his tactical acumen and nurturing young talent. Now those years of apprenticeship have culminated in his first full‑time managerial appointment.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Touré has taken the reins at Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia’s most successful club, after the departure of long‑time coach Vladimir Weiss. Weiss, who guided the team to five consecutive league titles, is moving on to lead the national side.
In a heartfelt statement to the club’s media, Touré expressed elation at the opportunity, declaring his excitement to “play dominant football” and to “control matches” that delight the passionate fan base.
He praised the club’s state‑of‑the‑art facilities and rich history, vowing to honor Weiss’s legacy while injecting his own unique vision into the squad.
Touré admitted he had already begun studying the players in depth, but emphasized that the true test will come in training sessions where personalities and performances will reveal themselves.
Reflecting on his journey from assistant roles to this pivotal moment, he recalled the chance to collaborate with former teammates like Robert Mancini, yet the calling to lead a top club as a head coach has now been answered.
UMVA has gathered that the new manager’s arrival comes after witnessing Slovan’s recent Champions League outing against his former club Manchester City, adding a layer of personal intrigue to the appointment.
With the season ahead, Touré’s ambition is clear: to harness the club’s rich heritage, elevate its competitive edge, and secure victories that resonate with supporters across the nation.
