Ivory Coast boss Marc Wilmots is trying to to persuade Yaya Toure out of international retirement as one of his top priorities after taking over as coach of the former African champions this week.
“I’ve seen the last two games that he played for Manchester City in a defensive midfield position. He’s always great, he’s so good physically,” Reuters quoted Wilmots as saying after signing a two-year contract in Abidjan. “I’ll go see him, I’ll talk with him.”
Toure has not played for his country since leading them to the Nations Cup title in 2015. In his absence this year, the Ivory Coast crashed out in the first round as they defended their title in Gabon in January.
“…I know how important it is to have experienced players. It’s not yet over for Toure, we’ve got to get him back. The Yaya Toure case will be one of my first missions.”
The 48-year-old Wilmots, who quit as Belgium coach after their quarterfinal exit to Wales at Euro 2016, takes over from Michel Dussuyer, who left after the Ivorians failed to retain their Nations Cup title in Gabon.
