A former Barcelona star is poised to lead a Belgian club with aspirations of reaching the top flight of European football.
After hanging up his boots for the last time as a professional in 2019, the four-time African Footballer of the Year has been steadily getting licensed to coach around Europe, going from assistant coaching roles in Ukraine and Russia, and England, to working with the Saudi Arabia national team alongside Roberto Mancini.
Now he is ready to take on his first managerial role as lead coach to officially finalize his transition from player to coach.
Yaya Touré, the former Barcelona and Manchester City great, will now lead Daring Brussels, formerly RWDM, in Belgium’s second division, as reported by HLN.
They are owned by American billionaire John Textor, which could be a colorful discussion on the future of ownership in European sports, but is also currently a club in disarray, including a controversial name change, fan protests, and a lack of support from local authorities in Molenbeek.
Touré played at Barcelona from 2007 to 2010, where he won the Champions League in 2009; he also won two La Liga titles with Barcelona.
Touré wore various hats while in Barcelona, which included himself playing center-back in the Champions League Final in 2009, which will make Touré’s first managerial role special for many reasons.
Touré’s appointment at Daring Brussels comes off a season during which the club narrowly missed promotion.
Today, Touré hopes to apply that knowledge and skill, honed as a player and as a coach under the likes of Pep Guardiola, to provide Daring Brussels with a pathway back to the top flight of Belgian football.
Touré has experience of Belgian football, having played for Beveren earlier in his career, which adds a layer to this story.
Supporters will be excited to see if Touré can now turn his on-field excellence into managerial success and build stability in the club after a difficult period off the pitch.
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