Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has described Kolo Toure as one of the nicest people he has ever encountered in his life after glowing comments from the Bhoys Invincible.
Toure was on national radio last week singing Rodgers’ praises and reminiscing about his time at Celtic as a player and a coach.
The Ivorian made just a handful of appearances with the Bhoys but became a popular member of the dressing room and later transitioned into work at Lennoxtown under the guidance of his manager.
Toure then followed Rodgers to Leicester City in 2019 before departing to take charge of Wigan Athletic in an ill-fated spell. He has never hidden his enjoyment of the Celtic experience.
Brendan Rodgers absolutely loves Kolo Toure
Asked about Toure after his radio interview and what he thinks of his former colleague, Rodgers glowed [The Scotsman]: “Kolo is one of the nicest men I have ever met in my life and in football. It was hard for him (at Wigan) because you go into your first job and you have to make that decision to go in despite people maybe telling you not to do it. If you get the feeling to go then you have to go and do it.
“Listen I had that early on in my career when I lost my job before I had even really started my managerial career. I had a really good time at Watford, should have stayed but didn’t. Went to Reading and within 22 games I think it was, I lost my job.
“So I’m thinking ‘Am I going to get another chance?’ I knew I’d be better next time because for the first time in my life, I was unemployed. And I knew that it wasn’t now with development players. I was still developing them but I had to sharpen my teeth. So I knew that with the next job I went into, I had to be good if I was going to survive. Thankfully Swansea City gave me that chance.
“Kolo is a good man he has got great experience, he has played, coached and been around enough. I really do hope that he gets another opportunity because he is someone who develops and helps people improve as players. And as a person, I learned so much working with Kolo.”
Toure has been out of management work since leaving Wigan and it remains to be seen whether he will be trusted with another job in England. For Rodgers, it’s clear he should be.
The former central defender will likely always enjoy the support of the Celtic fans and hopefully wherever he ends up he can prove his credentials. Maybe one day he will even be reunited with Rodgers.
In other news, Chris Sutton delivers verdict on Celtic progress of Luis Palma and Hyeongyu Oh.
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