By leading his Slovan Bratislava side to the UEFA Champions League league phase, Yaya Touré became the first African coach to reach the main draw. Slovan Bratislava beat Celje 3-2 on aggregate, and stretched Toure’s unbeaten streak to 10 games after he took over in June.
That run includes 8 wins and 2 draws, with Touré’s side previously beating Mjallby home and away, and Iberia 1999 away (they drew the home leg). Domestically, they have been imperious and look the favourites for the Super Liga title in Slovakia.
Yaya Touré
The job at Slovan Bratislava is Touré’s first as a manager after working as an assistant manager and youth coach elsewhere. Upon signing in June, Touré said he was “very excited” and couldn’t wait to start. He said he loved challenges and that the club was “ambitious” with a “beautiful” stadium.
Slovan Bratislava won the Slovakian title last season but failed to win a Champions League league phase match. Touré took charge with the club having entered the second qualifying round in 2026-27.
The club’s CEO, Ivan Smotrik Jr., said he had had several meetings with Touré and recognised his motivation and desire. The CEO said the pair shared youth, ambition and a hunger to do their best for the club.
Ndubuisi Egbo
In 2020, Ndubuisi Egbo preceded Touré in becoming the first African coach to manage a team in the Champions League. Egbo and his KF Tirana side did not manage to reach the group stage.
The Champions League main draw is where the elite teams of European football meet. In recent seasons, the group stage has expanded to a 36-team league phase where each team plays 8 matches against 8 different opponents. Previously, each club played 6 group games (3 home, 3 away).
Champions League 2026-27 favourites
One of Touré’s former sides, Manchester City, are lagging behind PSG, Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid at the bookmakers. Man City are, however, among the favourites for the Premier League title. The club have allowed four key central midfielders – Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, and Nico González – to depart this summer, but Erling Haaland remains in attack. According to sports betting in South Africa, as well as the odds on European platforms, Haaland is one of the main contenders for the Premier League PFA Player of the Year award.
PSG have won two Champions Leagues in a row. Real Madrid were the last to win three successive titles between 2016 and 2018 (Zidane is the only coach to have done so in the tournament’s history). PSG have spent big this summer, bringing in Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco for €50m and Mika Godts from Ajax for €45m, as well as making Ferran Torres’ move from Barcelona permanent for €48.5m.
Barcelona brought in Anthony Gordon for €80m, Rodri for €60m, and Karim Adeyemi for €22m. After their opening La Liga game, coach Hansi Flick hinted to the press that he was still hoping for “the best” number 9 after the club’s protracted efforts to sign Julian Álvarez from rivals Atletico Madrid.
In contrast to the elite clubs’ spending, Nino Marcelli is considered Touré’s most valuable player at €6.5 (per Transfermarkt). Their biggest signing this year was Suleiman Camara, who arrived for €1m. Slovan Bratislava have the most history in European competitions of Slovakian clubs, but it would be a major shock to see Touré’s team progress past the league phase. It is already a major achievement to have led them to this stage.
