Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler speaks with Yaya Toure for tips on managing African players
Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler has spoken to Yaya Toure for tips on managing African players in his squad.
Toure, assistant coach of the Saudi Arabia national team, visited Brighton's training complex on Wednesday to watch a session and speak with Hurzeler.
The Brighton squad pushing to qualify for Europe includes Carlos Baleba (Cameroon), Yankuba Minteh (Gambia), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast) and Tariq Lamptey (Ghana).
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'He is an unbelievable personality and he was a great player,' said Hurzeler during his press conference on Thursday ahead of Newcastle United's visit on Sunday.
'That is why he was here. First of all he has a good relationship with the African players and it's very important that we have someone who can talk to the players with an understanding of where they come from, what the culture is there and their needs.
'That is something I can also learn. I have not been there yet (to Africa). That is something I want to do in the future, visit the countries of the African players, but he can give me some insights. On the other side he was a great player, so he can give me and the players some small advices on what you need to get to the highest level.'
41-year-old Toure won the Premier League with Manchester City three times, the Champions League with Barcelona and the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast during an illustrious playing career.
'It was interesting for me to get an understanding of how he adapted to the Premier League,' Hurzeler added.
'He needed time to be able to play in the Premier League. He said the physical demands were completely different. It gives then an understanding of how he adapted, what helped him to adapt.
'He also shared some nice stories, because he had some great coaches in his life and he always took something away from the coaches. He shared two or three advice that stayed in his mind, and that is something I can also take away.
'It was a really interesting exchange. Although I didn't have much time, I took away a lot of things and for sure we will will stay in touch. Let's see how this relationship continues.'
Jan Paul van Hecke is set to return to the centre of Brighton's defence against Newcastle at the Amex Stadium after missing the last two home games.
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The Dutch international was ruled out of last Saturday's 3-2 win against West Ham United under medical protocols following a late clash of heads with Yunus Emre Konak in the preceding 4-2 defeat at Brentford.
Hurzeler said: 'He's ready to start. He trained yesterday and he said to me immediately afterwards he wants to play.' Van Hecke was suspended for the 2-2 home draw against Leicester City earlier this month after a red card in the 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace.
Injury issues at centre-back are easing for Hurzeler. Adam Webster trained on Wednesday and is an option for the matchday squad together with Igor Julio. Webster has been out since the end of March, Igor since the beginning of January, both with hamstring injuries.
Brighton have beaten Newcastle twice away from home this season, in the league (1-0) and in the fifth round of the FA Cup (2-1 after extra time).
Hurzeler's side are ninth in the table, 11 points adrift of the third-placed visitors who are chasing Champions League qualification after earning a place in the Europa Conference League by winning the Carabao Cup.
(Top image of Yaya Toure via Yasser Bakhsh – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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