Former Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure has described the rise of African coaches as the beginning of a “new era” as he prepares to make history with Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Champions League.

The 43-year-old is set to become the first African-born coach to lead a team in the Champions League when Slovan Bratislava face reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Toure left his role as an assistant coach with the Saudi Arabia national team before taking charge of Slovan in July. The Slovakian club have dominated their domestic league, winning the national title in each of the last eight seasons.

Under Toure, Slovan successfully navigated three qualifying rounds to reach the lucrative league phase of Europe’s premier club competition.

No African coach has previously managed a team in the Champions League, although several European coaches born in Africa have appeared in the competition. Portugal’s Carlos Queiroz and Paulo Fonseca were both born in Mozambique, while former France international Jean Tigana was born in Bamako, Mali.

Speaking to reporters in Paris ahead of Slovan’s meeting with PSG, Toure admitted that his historic achievement feels unusual but said it represents an important step forward for African coaches.

“It is true that it feels a bit strange,” Toure said.

“But on a personal level it is really nice. This is an important new era. We can say that things are now changing and moving forward.

“There are people who are brave enough to take young coaches, who are eager to work, who want to move things forward in a positive way.”

Toure’s Champions League debut represents another milestone in his transition from a decorated playing career to coaching and could help inspire more opportunities for African coaches on Europe’s biggest club stage.

Toure also expressed his gratitude to Slovan’s management, including former Slovakia striker Robert Vittek, who now serves as the club’s sporting director, for giving him the opportunity to take charge.

“Because it’s not easy. It’s very, very difficult for us. We have to work two or three times harder to get such an opportunity,” Toure said.

The former midfielder earned 97 caps for Ivory Coast and was part of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona squad that lifted the Champions League trophy in 2009.

Slovan made an impressive start to the new domestic season, winning their first four league matches. However, they head to Paris after suffering back-to-back defeats.

Despite the difficult challenge awaiting them against Luis Enrique’s side, Toure insisted there is no pressure on Slovan. The Slovakian champions endured a difficult Champions League campaign two years ago, losing all eight of their matches in the league phase.

Toure also spoke highly of Enrique and welcomed the opportunity to test his team against one of Europe’s leading coaches.

“It is a pleasure. Luis Enrique is a great coach and one of the best around just now. So to play against his team is just a pleasure,” he said.