Yaya Toure: An interview with the Manchester City legend

Kelly: I had particularly great times at both Barcelona and Manchester City. What was that period at Manchester City, in particular, like?

Yaya: I think that’s something I’m really proud of, to be honest. At first, it was very difficult. The fact that the fans and the media also were wondering more about the income I would bring to the club. So those few people would also question my arrival at City, because they thought it wasn’t the right move to make, and I’m thrilled to have proven them wrong. The fact that I gave what I had to give, that’s what I’m proud of.

In my second year at Barcelona, ​​we won it all and I will never forget the Champions League final – playing in a different position. It was risky because some of my teammates were talking to me before the game and saying: ‘You’re going to play against Manchester United and there’s going to be Cristiano Ronaldo coming to you and’ [Wayne] Ronnie is coming for you.

I wanted to accept the challenge. But inside, I was a little worried, because as a midfielder, it’s okay. But defending any mistake can cost you a lot, and it can stay in your mind for a long time. What I’m most proud of is the opportunity I’ve had to help City begin the journey to becoming one of England’s elite clubs now.

Kelly: When did the training journey begin then?

Yaya: I was sitting at home watching TV and I started to feel a little upset. I didn’t take it seriously at that moment because I wanted to have that kind of freedom – just relax because my body was hurting from a lot of difficult moments from matches and injuries. As you can imagine, I wanted to take that period of time to be myself and relax and do nothing for a month, two or three months. That was my plan at first.

Kelly: What has changed? What happened?

Yaya: After two or three days, I started to feel uncomfortable. I watched all the matches and commented on them. I knew that the English Premier League would start at this time, that the Spanish League would start at eight, and I knew what time the French League would start – at seven. I was all the time, at the right time, watching TV. And I was thinking, “What am I going to do?” And then I started the journey of thinking about building something suitable for me. And so I started to embark on the training journey. I started making all the badges I could.

I’ve been at Tottenham’s academy for a while, I’ve been in Russia, Ukraine and most recently I was in Saudi Arabia recently. It was a fun thing. Not that easy but I think I need to do it. To be ready, because I hope one day people will watch me with my team as a coach.

Kelly: Which coaches have you played under that have particularly influenced you and the coach you want to be?

Yaya: Frank Rijkaard and Roberto Mancini. When I went to Barcelona under Rijkaard, it was impressive because he always told me: ‘I don’t want you to go any further’. [forward] Because you play as a deep midfielder. Xavi and Iniesta are in front of you, you can’t pass them to play the ball because you’re supposed to be behind them. This space is occupied by two experienced players, but I think physically you can give more to the team.

What he did, at some point – he called me. He wanted to see me face to face, talk to me, maybe watch a movie. I said: Why do I want to watch a movie with you, you helpless person?! When everyone was gone, we went to his private room and he showed me a video showing all my actions during the match we played against Zaragoza. I will never forget that. He had a small book with him, and he said: “I told you not to do this, but look at this.”

From that day, when I left his office, I never spoke again – because it was something new to me. In the game, he would say, “Yaya, yaya, yaya.” I said: What does this man want from me? All the time, he was calling me. Why doesn’t he call Puyol, doesn’t call Alves, Abidal or Zambrotta. why always me?’ It was like he had something against me, but he was right. Since that day my mind has changed a lot.

The second was Mancini. In terms of dedication and passion, you know – the session that he gives and the intensity that he gives, and how involved he is.

It can be a little strange, when you see a coach grab you and say, “You have to do this, do that,” and then he shows you some videos and pushes you to get better.