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He may not be a nailed on starter, but Kolo Toure’s presence in the Liverpool squad over the past two seasons cannot be overstated. In a squad built around youth, he’s often seemed a coach on the pitch, with the staff and fellow players speaking highly of the leadership role he’s taken on at Anfield, so it’s hardly surprising the 33-year-old is planning on taking the next step.
"It’s an ambition of mine to be a manager," the defender admitted when asked about his plans for the future by the Liverpool Echo this week, though he quickly clarified that he isn’t planning on hanging up his boots and moving to the touchline right away. "I’m doing my UEFA B badge right now, but it takes time. I’m focused on my game because I want to stay playing football for a few years."
Toure signed on a free from Manchester City in 2013, and with his contract running down this summer he’s currently considering his options. He was given the chance to head to Turkey last summer with the promise of a starting role in a lesser league on offer, but as was the case with Rickie Lambert in January, Toure decided to stay at Liverpool. Toure faces a similar decision again now.
Given his decision to stay at Anfield last summer, and that he moved to the club in the first place in order to avoid uprooting and moving after his City years, it wouldn’t be surprising if he decided to stick around at Anfield. Even if he leaves England, though, with his reputation as a coach on the pitch and now confirmation of his future goals, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him back some day in a managerial capacity.
"As an African, we need to have more African coaches because we need to take that responsibility," he added. "When you play at this level for big clubs you need to show that. Where? Maybe here, maybe back in Africa but I need to do something in football because that’s what I love."
