Man City legend Yaya Toure returns to Premier League as Tottenham academy coach

Manchester City legend Yaya Toure has made a return to English football, but not at the Etihad Stadium

The Ivorian midfielder has agreed to become an academy coach at City's Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, after working with the London club to get his coaching badges.

This will be the first coaching role at a high-profile club for Toure, who left City in 2018 after an eight-year spell in which he helped City win three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three League Cups.

After making 316 appearances for the Blues and scoring 79 goals, Toure spent short spells at Olympiacos and QD Huanghai before retiring from playing in 2020.

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The move represents the next step up in Toure's coaching career, having taken on something of a journeyman existence in 2021. The 39-year-old spent four months as assistant manager of Ukrainian side Olimpik Donetsk before joining Russian club Akhmat Grozny as assistant coach.

Toure is set to be joined in his new role by fellow former Premier League player Jermain Defoe, who is close to agreeing to become an academy coach at Spurs.

Antonio Conte's side have developed a reputation for developing quality young players in recent years, with Harry Kane standing out as the shining example of what can happen when youth are given a chance.

With his wealth of experience, technical skills and tactical understanding, Toure could play a key role in developing the next generation of young footballers in north London.

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