'I can't wait' – Kolo Toure makes statement over managerial career after Wigan Athletic disaster

24/04/2024 12:47

Wigan Athletic endured a dismal stint under Kolo Toure’s management, but the Ivorian isn’t ready to give up on his career in the dugout.

Wigan Athletic took the bold call to hand legendary centre-back Toure his first managerial role in November 2022, bringing him in as their new boss after parting ways with Leam Richardson.

He had held coaching roles with the Ivory Coast national team before alongside working as part of Brendan Rodgers’ backroom team at Celtic and Leicester City.

However, his maiden voyage into management was one to forget. Toure led the Latics for only nine games with three draws and six defeats – including three consecutive 4-1 losses – leading to his sacking after just two months.

Toure hasn’t returned to the dugout since, with over a year passed since his exit.

Despite the break from the game, the former Wigan Athletic boss is only hungrier to return to the game.

Speaking on the High Performance Podcast (as relayed by Wigan Today), Toure was asked if his hunger to manage had diminished after his struggles at the DW Stadium, to which he replied:

“No, it has given me more strength, and I can’t wait to go for another opportunity.

“I know that I have a lot to give to the game, I don’t want to sit at home and not give back what I have learned, not give my inspiration, not give my experiences.

“When I watch football matches, I try to analyse everything… I watch every single game, I have my notebook, trying to note if I was manager of one of the teams, what I would be telling my players.

“For me, football is not a job, it is a passion.”

A return on the cards?

The Wigan Athletic spell was certainly one to forget for Toure. It certainly hasn’t seen his hunger for success in the dugout wane though, so it will be intriguing to see if he gets another shot in management and if he does, where it’ll be.

There’s no doubting that his pedigree as a player and passion for the game will aid him in his bid to find success as a manager, and his work as a coach alongside the reputable Brendan Rodgers should only have a positive impact on his efforts to do so.

His Championship stint was a really tough one though, so it could be that he has to work his way up before returning to this level.

Wigan Athletic were duly relegated and are now rebuilding under Shaun Maloney after years of persisting financial problems.

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