ONE OF BEST YOUNG BOSSES IN THE WORLD
FROM the Treble at Celtic to treble 20 at the Alexandra Palace, Kolo Toure loved every minute of his career as a player in British football.
Now he’s ready to revel in the next chapter of success working with the boss he has labelled one of the best young managers in the world.
Toure, 36, revealed he rejected the chance to continue his playing career in the summer because he couldn’t face stepping down a level after so many highs with the biggest clubs in the UK.
Instead he has moved to join Chris Davies, John Kennedy and Stevie Woods behind the scenes with Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead.
Toure is focused on building the growing reputation of Celtic at home and abroad after they took a significant step towards guaranteeing European football post-Christmas with Wednesday’s 3-0 triumph at Anderlecht in the Champions League.
He said: “It was quite simple. I had a few offers to still keep playing but I have been at the top level for big clubs such as Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and Celtic.
“It was really difficult to stop playing after 20 years but you get to the point you must move on and I am now with one of the best young managers in the world in Brendan Rodgers.
“We have worked together for the last few years and the relationship is really good.
“This is a chance to learn even more with Brendan – which is fantastic – and with one of the best clubs in Europe. It is a privilege not just to work with Brendan but also Chris, John and Stevie who are all great guys.
“My assessment of Brendan is simple – look what he has done, even back to the days of Swansea when he took them up to the Premier League.
“I remember playing there with Man City – all those world-class players and we lost. That showed Brendan’s worth as a great manager because he knows how to get the best from good players.”
The appointment of Toure is also significant in a British game that has not always acknowledged the cultural diversity of its playing staff in positions of coaching and management.
Only three black managers today operate across England’s 92 professional clubs – Chris Hughton at Brighton, Keith Curle at Carlisle and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at Northampton. There are none in Scotland. Black coaches are also under-represented in coaching roles with former players such as Jason Euell – in charge of Charlton’s Under21s – and Darren Moore at West Brom the exception rather than the rule.
Toure is a reluctant standard bearer on race and said: “I don’t get involved in that. It’s the same as when I played football.
“I didn’t think I was going to play for big clubs like Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool but anything can happen if you work hard. Just give 100 per cent and see what happens.
“The UK is like my second home. The way people like me here is amazing – even fans from different teams all over the UK.
“I was watching the darts on TV at home and I heard the fans singing, ‘Kolo, Kolo, Kolo’ and ‘Ya Ya, Ya Ya, Ya Ya’ Toure. My brother and I have worked hard and done well and
because of what we gave to this country people recognise that and they love me.
“It shows it doesn’t matter what colour you are – as long as you do the job it’s good. I’ve done the job as a player and I will do the job as a coach and we will see.”
Toure insists he has been a surrogate coach throughout his career anyway, instructing and advising team-mates even when they were directly challenging him for his place.
Dedryck Boyata has already spoken warmly of the support he was given by his team-mate last season and Toure, a popular figure inside the dressing room at Celtic, added: “I’m here to give advice to young players as well as offer my expertise from a playing point of view.
“I was always a team player. Even if I was fighting with another guy for the same place I was always able to give advice.”
Certainly the Celtic defence has never looked more solid in the last week as Boyata returned to the fray after a knee injury and helped his team claim three clean sheets against Dundee, Rangers and Anderlecht.
Toure said: “It was a fantastic team performance in Belgium. Dedryck and Jozo Simunovic were great in the centre of defence and Kieran Tierney and Mikael Lustig were excellent. The whole team was really good.” against an Anderlecht team on a similar level to ourselves and credit to Celtic for performing so well.”
said: “Thank you Celtic. I bet £20 on Griffiths to score the first goal, Celtic at 25-1 to win 3-0 and a £5 double. A total winnings of £940 from a £45 stake.
“That’s me got my spending money for my holiday to Benidorm in October – and best of all I’m not booked with Ryanair!”
said: “I suppose now we’ve won away from home in the Champions League we will have the Rangers fans on bleating about how Anderlecht were poor or are in disarray.” Right on cue, here’s
who said: “It’s the usual Celtic hype and over reaction. They’ve beaten the worst team in the competition and suddenly now they’re going to beat Bayern and finish second.
“They’ll get nothing from Bayern nor PSG and will sweat to finish third because as always they are not nearly as good as they think they are.”
There aren’t many Rangers fans laughing at Caixinha’s attempts to belittle dressing-room unrest by rambling on about what happens in Las Vegas. But plenty others are queuing up to make a crack.
said: “I’m actually going to Vegas with some pals this weekend. Just going to party all week and get steam ... oh no, wait. I forgot my wife reads the Hotline.”
said: “I’m heading to Vegas too. I’m travelling by elephant, I’ll sleep in a caravan and I’ll get the dogs to bark in the morning to wake me.”
said: “I call him Don Pedro because he’s always looking for respect like Don Corleone – and it won’t be long before Rangers make him an offer he can’t refuse.” CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY FROM 11 TILL 12 NOON on: 0141 309 3306 or email us: hotline@dailyrecord.co.uk
KOLO TOURE