Kolo Toure returns to Manchester City as U18 coach: “I couldn’t turn it down”

Kolo Toure is back where it all began — and he couldn’t be happier.
The former Manchester City and Arsenal defender has returned to the Etihad, this time not as a player, but as a coach. After almost two years out of the spotlight, he’s taken up a role in City’s under-18 setup, working alongside club legend Richard Dunne. And for Toure, it wasn’t just a job. It was personal.
“When the opportunity came, I couldn’t turn it down,” he told Manchester Evening News. “I played here, I had a great time here — my connection to City has always been there.”

From Premier League Winner to Youth Coach
Toure’s career needs no introduction: a Premier League title with Arsenal’s Invincibles, more silverware with City, a Scottish league title at Celtic, and over 500 appearances for club and country.
After hanging up his boots in 2017, he dived into coaching — first with Ivory Coast’s U23s, then following Brendan Rodgers to Celtic and Leicester City.
His big break as a manager came at Wigan in 2022. But after just two months — and no wins — he was let go. Then came silence. No sideline. No next job. No headlines. Until now.

“This Was the Right Step for Me”
Fast forward to 2024, and Toure is rebuilding — not just his career, but also the next generation of talent at City’s academy. And he’s thriving. “It’s good to work with young players,” he said. “You get to know how they think, what they want, what they need from you as a coach.”
For someone who’s played under some of the best managers in world football, including Arsène Wenger and Brendan Rodgers, passing that knowledge on has become his new purpose.

Still a Fan Favourite
Even years after leaving the pitch, City fans haven’t forgotten. That iconic chant — “Kolo, Kolo Kolo, Yaya, Yaya Yaya” — still echoes around the Etihad. “It means a lot. When fans remember you not just as a player, but as a person… that’s what makes football special.”

On the Verge of Silverware
Now, with City’s U18s on a 23-game winning run, Toure is on the brink of his first taste of success as a coach. His young side has kept 12 clean sheets and conceded just 13 goals during that stretch — and they’re set to face Watford in the FA Youth Cup semi-final. For Toure, it’s more than just football. It’s a second chapter. A new beginning. And maybe, just maybe, the start of something big.