Yaya Toure becomes first African coach in UEFA Champions League history

Yaya Toure prepares to lead Slovan Bratislava against Paris Saint-Germain, marking the first time an African coach manages a team in the UEFA Champions League. The 43-year-old former Manchester City midfielder took over the Slovakian club in July after serving as an assistant for the Saudi Arabian national team. He successfully navigated three qualifying rounds to earn his side a spot in the league phase. Toure acknowledged the professional difficulty for African coaches to secure such roles, emphasizing that they must work significantly harder for these opportunities. While his squad won their first four domestic matches this season, they enter the fixture in Paris following two consecutive league defeats. Slovan Bratislava previously participated in the competition's league phase two years ago, recording eight losses.

• 8:32 PMYahoo Sports — Yaya Toure hails 'new era' for African coaches ahead of Champions League bow