Former Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Touré has explained how his upbringing and personal values influence his management style, emphasising discipline, respect and the importance of allowing players to express themselves on the pitch.

Touré, widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest footballers, said his father’s military background played a significant role in shaping his understanding of discipline, punctuality and teamwork.

“My father was in the military, and for him it was important to be respectful and on time. And, finally, he loved that team spirit,” Touré said in an interview with UEFA.

The former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder explained that his football philosophy centres on enjoying the game while respecting opponents and the identity of the club a player represents.

“My game philosophy is very simple: enjoy it and respect your opponents on and off the pitch. Show respect for the club’s flag,” he added.

Touré also outlined his approach to working with players, saying he believes footballers should be trusted to make decisions during matches rather than being controlled from the sidelines.

“I often tell my players, once they’re on the pitch, they’re the ones making the decisions. I’m just here to support them and watch them have fun,” he said.

Touré enjoyed a distinguished playing career, winning major honours with Barcelona and Manchester City, including the Champions League and multiple Premier League titles.

Yaya Toure is now head coach of Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava. Appointed in June 2026 on a three-year deal, the Ivorian made history as the first African coach to lead a team into the Champions League league phase.

Since moving into coaching, he has continued to build experience in the technical side of the game, drawing on lessons from his playing career and upbringing.