Arsenal legend Kolo Toure is back in the Premier League with Leicester City, joining Brendan Rodgers in the move from Scottish champions Celtic.
The former Ivory Coast international enjoyed an illustrious playing career with the Gunners, Manchester City, Liverpool and Celtic, while his coaching career has also started well after years of success north of the border.
As well as his club duties, the 37-year-old is also assistant manager to the Ivory Coast national team and has been taking steps towards management by taking further qualifications.
He joins an illustrious list of former Gunners who have made the step into coaching or a managerial career, following in the footsteps of Sol Campbell, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Freddie Ljungberg and Jens Lehmann.
Given his vast experience and young age, there is every chance that Toure could become the first African manager in the Premier League but, for now, he continues to earn his stripes under the tutelage of Rodgers.
Toure has not given a statement since moving to Leicester as first team coach, but he has spoken previously about his coaching career.
Here's what he has said so far.
"Any club I've been all the managers have spoken to me about the next step and wanted me to be involved in the coaching.
"I love to speak to players and when I play I like to give advice: that is what I learned from players like Martin Keown, Sol Campbell, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp.
"I can still ask their advice and speak to them because I've always had a good relationship with them and learned from all of them.
"I've also worked with top managers and I am so privileged to have worked with those guys and I still have contact with them."
"I couldn't be happier to be back at this great club. This is a new chapter in my career, a new beginning. The football is over now. I can officially say I am retired from playing and now I am fully concentrating on coaching.
"For me there is no big change in terms of what I will be doing. I have always been the kind of player who tries to help those around me.
"Now I will try to give advice, help the young players and just guide them and pass on all the experience I have acquired during my career.
"I can learn so much from working with Brendan Rodgers, he is a top manager. I will be working with him and his staff very closely each day.
"He is one of the best young managers in the world right now. What he's doing for Celtic is there for all to see, he's doing amazingly right now."
Ciyblrsz
0
thi's good fundamental kolo u tried ur own best n we r expected to ce many African legend lyk okocha, talibo west junior agogo just mention a few.keep in touch kolo
Omaha
0
yes my African brother God Almighty will keep on giuding you , brother you will make it. like somebody have already said this is exactly what I expected jay jay okooha and papilo kanu nwankwo to but they where be nowhere to be found.once again brother God bless you richly in Jesus mighty name amen.
Work at Arsenal only needs to be guaranteed to spend less and make more money.
Raaeikmrsz
0
kolo tem tem for you brother u make us proud as African man that you are ok God bless you.lnnoma.
Raaeikmrsz
1
yes my African brother God Almighty will keep on giuding you , brother you will make it. like somebody have already said this is exactly what I expected jay jay okooha and papilo kanu nwankwo to but they where be nowhere to be found.once again brother God bless you richly in Jesus mighty name amen.
Cetaeo
0
I bliv that kolo toure 'll b a gud option 4 Chelsea instead of sarri
Denaiprsz
0
you gat all it takes man, just go and do it, all the best. we proud of as gunners
dehckly
0
the history remember you
dehckly
0
come on kolo we back you up here Nigerian once a gunner will always be a gunners π« π« π« π«
Kudacmnt
0
Go ahead Kolo and make us proud! My Arsenal and African brother, I wish you the very best in your new endeavor and I hope that maybe one day you will return to Arsenal which I know will always be your first love, and become the coach after you have acquired all the knowledge that you can get through your apprenticeship with Mr. Brendan Rogers!!! Good luck buddy Toure.ππΎπͺπΎππΎππΎππΎππΎππΎππΎππΎ
Baeaeklorz
1
bonne chance kolo....good luck kolo
Toockmnpty
1
keep the banner high kolo
Jiucdelotz
3
wishing you all the best Kolo. make Africa proud
Justin322
0
He will do just fine there, i hope to see him in Emerates again soon but we're winning on that day though π¬
Haaalsu
1
well done kolo toure I remember arsenal you do very well
Vibilpstu
6
I think arsenal av more legendary players who turn to coaches den pundits . and Manchester united av more pundits who where ones dey legendary Dan coaching.
Hizilptuy
1
wish you best of lucky African proud of you kolo
waoant
2
Seems like Arsenal got more coaches than players.
Juadeimuy
6
I wish You well Kolo. it's a good thing to have you doing that for the future football and for the passion of it too. You are doing exactly what I expected Jay Jay Okocha and Kanu Nwankwo to do. but they both quickly ran back into business like typical Igbo men.
Tiyabclmsu
4
wish you all the best brother. make Africa proud