I stayed at Manchester City because of Manuel Pellegrini, reveals Yaya Toure

Manchester City star Yaya Toure has admitted he would have left the Etihad last summer if it had not been for 'father figure' Manuel Pellegrini.

Toure, 32, was strongly linked with a move to Inter Milan to link up with his former boss Roberto Mancini.

However, the Ivorian opted to stay in the Premier League and insists Pellegrini played a massive part in his decision.

Toure has paid tribute to the City chief for the support he gave the midfielder when his younger brother, Ibrahim, died last year.

He said: “I’ve stayed because of Manuel. He always talks to me, giving me some piece of advice. He has been aware of my life off the pitch.

“He has been like a father to me in difficult moments. I have never felt like that with another coach.

"Before this season, all the players had a talk and we promised the boss we would recover our level.

“We had to do it for him, for us and for the fans — we have to win important things this season.”