Yaya Touré Set To Make Champions League History, Hails ‘New Era’ For African Coaches

Yaya Touré is set to make history on Wednesday when Slovan Bratislava face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, becoming the first African-born coach to lead a team in the competition.

The former Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder, 43, takes his Slovan side to Paris for their league-phase opener against Luis Enrique’s European champions.

Touré described his historic Champions League debut as the beginning of a “new era” for African coaches, insisting that opportunities for coaches from the continent are gradually increasing.

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

“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.”

Touré took charge of Slovakia’s most successful club in July after leaving his role as an assistant coach with the Saudi Arabia national team.

Slovan, who have won the Slovakian league for eight consecutive seasons, secured their place in the Champions League league phase after navigating three qualifying rounds under the former Barcelona and Manchester City star.

No African-born coach had previously led a team in the Champions League, although several European coaches born in Africa have managed in the competition. Carlos Queiroz and Paulo Fonseca were born in Mozambique, while former France international Jean Tigana was born in Bamako, Mali.

Touré acknowledged the significance of his opportunity and thanked Slovan’s management, including former Slovakia striker and sporting director Robert Vittek, for trusting him.

“Because it’s not easy. It is very, very difficult for us. We have to work two or three times harder to get such an opportunity,” he said.

The Ivorian, who won 97 international caps, knows the Champions League stage well. He was part of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side that lifted the trophy in 2009.

Slovan made a strong start to the domestic campaign, winning their opening four league matches, but have since suffered consecutive defeats ahead of their daunting trip to Paris.

Touré, however, insists his players have nothing to fear against the reigning European champions, particularly given the historic nature of their participation.

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

Slovan previously appeared in the Champions League league phase two years ago, losing all eight matches, but Touré believes the current campaign offers an opportunity to write a different chapter.