Home / Sports / Ex-Man City Star Mangala Joins ASSE Backroom
Ex-Man City Star Mangala Joins ASSE Backroom
27 Jun
Summary
- Eliaquim Mangala retired from football to join AS Saint-Étienne's staff.
- He was once the world's most expensive defender at €45m.
- Pep Guardiola's management approach inspired his career change.
Eliaquim Mangala, the former Manchester City defender, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35. He is transitioning directly into club management and will join AS Saint-Étienne's coaching staff under Ian Cathro.
Mangala's career included a record-breaking €45m transfer to Manchester City in 2014, making him the world's most expensive defender at the time. He previously played for AS Saint-Étienne, the club where he has now secured his first managerial role.
Speaking in October 2022, Mangala revealed that Pep Guardiola significantly influenced his decision to pursue management. He was particularly inspired by Guardiola's detailed approach to tactics, player positioning, and the psychological aspects of the game, which broadened his perspective.
As part of the backroom team, Mangala will contribute to AS Saint-Étienne's objective of securing promotion back to Ligue 1. His experience and insights are expected to be valuable for the team's campaign.
