Yaya Touré to make Champions League coaching history

Yaya Touré is set to become the first African head coach to lead a team in a Champions League match when Slovan Bratislava visit Paris Saint-Germain. The former Ivory Coast international described the milestone as evidence of a new era for African coaches, with more clubs showing the courage to appoint younger managers.

Touré, 43, took charge of Slovan this summer and guided the Slovak club through several qualifying rounds before securing a place in the competition through the play-offs. His appointment marks his first role as a head coach after previous work as an assistant or in youth development in Saudi Arabia, Belgium and England.

The Ivorian said the occasion brought him satisfaction rather than pressure, while acknowledging the scale of the challenge against PSG. He remains wary of the French champions despite their recent poor form, pointing to their standing and performances over the past two seasons. Slovan will approach the match with confidence and ambition as Touré begins a landmark chapter in his coaching career.

As a player, Touré won three English Premier League titles with Manchester City and also represented Barcelona and Monaco. He earned 97 caps for Ivory Coast. His Champions League appearance will establish a new first for African coaches in the tournament, although Carlos Queiroz, born in Mozambique, and Jean Tigana, born in Bamako, had previously managed in the competition.