Yaya Toure has followed the lead of Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini by pledging his future to the reigning Premier League champions.
Ivorian midfielder committed to trophy chase at the Etihad
Yaya Toure has followed the lead of Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini by pledging his future to the reigning Premier League champions.
Mancini, with speculation suggesting he was a top target for the Russian Football Union in their search for a new coach, penned a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium on Monday.
His commitment to the long-term plans put in place at City has helped to inspire those around him.
Reports had claimed that Toure was among those weighing up his options heading into the summer, with a return to Barcelona mooted.
The Ivory Coast international has moved to rubbish those rumours, though, and insists he is determined to bring further success to City as they look to establish domestic and global dominance.
"I was very happy to hear the news that our manager has signed a new five-year deal," Toure told the club's
official website.
Stability
"It is important for this club to have stability at all levels, especially after we have just won the title and the FA Cup the season before.
"It means there will be no changes or disruption to what has proved a winning formula and, for the long term, that can only be good for Manchester City.
"Now the manager can continue to build this club and plan for the future - let's not forget Sir Alex Ferguson has been at Manchester United for 25 years and they haven't done too badly over the years.
"On a personal level, I'm very happy because I want to win many more trophies with City and the manager has the same mentality as I do - he wants to win everything with this club and so do I.
"Of course, it's not only me - we have a whole squad who are hungry for more success and we are pulling in the same direction."