Yaya Touré makes Champions League coaching debut in Paris

Yaya Touré takes charge of Slovan Bratislava against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night in his first match in the Champions League league phase as a head coach.

A landmark night for Touré

The 43-year-old guided Slovan through qualifying after taking his first senior head-coaching job in the summer of 2026. That run made him the first African head coach in history to take a team into the Champions League league phase.

Touré arrives at the Parc des Princes with a deep playing background in Europe, having won major honours with Barcelona and especially Manchester City. His route into management has been different, with previous roles as an assistant and a member of coaching staffs before this first full-time senior appointment.

Toughest possible first test

Slovan's opening league-phase fixture comes against the current European champions. PSG are aiming for a third straight Champions League title, which turns Touré's debut into a severe examination.

Whatever happens in Paris, Touré's presence on this stage is already a notable moment for African football and for a coaching career that has moved quickly into the spotlight.