Yaya Toure's return top priority for new Ivory Coast coach Marc Wilmots
Thursday 23 March 2017 12:36, UK
Marc Wilmots has made trying to persuade Yaya Toure to come out of international retirement one of his top priorities after taking over as coach of Ivory Coast this week.
Toure has established himself as a regular at the heart of Manchester City's midfield this season since Pep Guardiola recalled him to the side in November.
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"I've seen the last two games that he played for Manchester City in a defensive midfield position," Wilmots told reporters after signing a two-year contract in Abidjan. "He's always great, he's so good physically. I'll go see him, I'll talk with him."
Toure, who is now 33, has not played for his country since leading them to the Africa Cup of 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," Wilmots continued. "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 quarter-final exit to Wales at Euro 2016, takes over from Michel Dussuyer, who left after the Ivorians failed to retain their Nations Cup title.
"I do not know much about the country, but I have a lot of information about the national team, and I was very interested in the national team," he said.
"They have a very good generation of players. I would say that this is a golden generation. When the challenge was offered to me, I thought why not?"
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