Manchester City legend heading to Greece for final part of his career

Contract extension came as a surprise

A new reinvigorated Toure played a role for Guardiola as the season played out, partly in response to injuries which affected the squad. It was a surprise to all when Manchester City extended Toure’s contract by a further 12 months given the problems which had been present earlier in the season.

This new contract reportedly contained a “non disparaging clause” forbidding both Toure and his agent from public criticism during the contract.

Last season Toure had a much more limited involvement and despite this, due to the new contract there were no public fall outs until the last days of his contract with Manchester City.

Here again Seluk sought to raise the profile of his client by simultaneously announcing his availability on a free transfer (he will play for £1 a week at a top 6 club) and allege the reason Toure had not played much for Guardiola was not a lessening of his football prowess but rather the result of Guardiola being racist.

This resulted in an unprecedented level of support from within the football industry as ex-players and pundits sought to defend Guardiola. He himself described the claims as nonsense.

Whilst I have enjoyed and respected Toure’s contribution to the club I love, I am troubled by his outbursts and the antics of his agent.

I still consider him a hero and have not yet consigned him to equivalence with Tevez. I guess at some point we can expect a book of memoirs which will further damage the view and respect Manchester City fans may hold towards him.

I doubt he will ever become a James Milner but who knows. Most Manchester City fans view Milner as a mercenary who refused to sign a new contract at the club instead signing for Liverpool on enhanced terms.

In his first interview at Liverpool, Milner said he has joined to win trophies. Much to the amusement of Manchester City fans Milner has won precisely no trophies since he left.