TOURE DE FORCE

Kolo’s pride at Latics job but he’ll hope to avoid getting wiped out... like he did to Wenger

KOLO TOURE wiped out Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Arsene Wenger – the manager he was trying to impress – on trial at Arsenal.

Now the Gunners’ Invincibles legend is hoping Brendan Rodgers’ tutelage will help him kick-start his managerial career in the Championship at Wigan Athletic.

As Toure, 41, was unveiled as the new Latics boss on a three-and-a-half year contract, the former Ivory Coast international paid tribute to Rodgers’ “invaluable” influence.

He takes over from Leam Richardson at the DW Stadium with Wigan struggling in the bottom three after just six wins in 21 games – but confident they will climb the table.

Toure, who played under Rodgers at Liverpool and Celtic before joining his backroom staff in Scotland and subsequently at the

King Power since February 2019, said: “I am extremely proud to be named manager of Wigan Athletic.

“This is a big club with hugely passionate fans. Together, we can continue to make the right steps forward.

“I’m excited to work with this talented group of players and staff, and immensely look forward to my time ahead. The experiences I amassed under Brendan Rodgers have been invaluable and I’m sure they will help me in this next chapter of my career.” Toure, whose first game in charge will be a trip to Millwall on December 10, announced himself in English football 20 years ago at Arsenal.

In John Cross’s definitive book charting Wenger’s reign, Gunners favourite Ray Parlour tells how Toure (with Wenger, below), desperate to earn a contract, had already clattered into Henry and Bergkamp when he two-footed Wenger, who was supervising a practice match.

“All you could hear was Wenger screaming,” recalled Parlour. “Kolo was nearly in tears, his big day ruined.

“I went into the medical room and there was Arsene with an ice pack on his ankle. He told me: ‘We’re signing him tomorrow. I like his desire.’ He went on to be great for the club.” Rob Kelly, who had been in caretaker charge since Richardson was sacked earlier this month, will remain at the club as an assistant manager.

But James Beattie has left his coaching position, while former Crawley manager Kevin Betsy and Ashvir Johal, who had been working alongside Toure at Leicester, have joined the Wigan payroll.

Latics chief executive Malachy Brannigan said: “From the earliest of conversations we had with Kolo, it was evident to us that he had instantly bought into the values of the club with his enthusiasm, knowledge and immense desire. Kolo is a manager who wants to play a positive brand of football and will strive every day to make the club stronger.”