Yaya Toure Refutes Agent

By Max Wise

Former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has blatantly denied his agent’s claim that he has retired from professional football.

Toure’s agent, Dimitri Seluk, revealed last week that the former Ivorian international had hang up his boots and was moving into a career as a coach.

Toure has been without a club since leaving Greek side Olympiacos late last year after making just two appearances in the Greek Super League.

The former AS Monaco and Barcelona midfielder has however refuted the claims of his agent, revealing that although he is eyeing a career in the dugouts, he still has enough strength to compete for a few more years.

"There has been a lot of confusion about my future recently," Toure said.

"I want to make it clear here that I love football and I'm still in contention to play for a few more years."

"Yes, I'm starting to prepare myself for coaching badges but full-time coaching is not what I'm thinking now," Toure wrote on Twitter.

"I am now ready and focused to take new challenges in playing football.

"And don't worry, once the time has come I will announce my retirement personally and officially by myself."

Toure, who is a four-time African footballer of the year, spent eight seasons with Manchester City where he won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups.

He was a member of the Ivory Coast national team that beat Ghana on penalties to win the 2015 African Cup of Nations.