Wigan Athletic's swoop for Kolo Toure backed by legends

The former Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Celtic defender was confirmed as Leam Richardson's successor on a three-and-a-half-year contract earlier this week.

Toure - who also won 120 caps for the Ivory Coast - will make history by becoming the first African to manage in the EFL.

And Latics legend Emmerson Boyce was one of the first to back the appointment.

"Exciting news on the appointment of Wigan's new manager Kolo Toure," he tweeted.

"I am more than sure he will do a fantastic job for the Latics."

FA Cup hero Ben Watson - a lifelong Arsenal fan - is also hopeful Toure can justify the faith placed in him.

"They've gone with someone with huge experience within football, played at some massive clubs and under some top, top managers, where he will have learned a lot," he said.

"It's his first managerial job, so it's hard to say, hopefully it will go well for him, but time will tell."

Patrick Vieira played in the same Arsenal 'Invincibles' team that went through the 2003-04 Premier League campaign unbeaten.

"Very pleased to see this," he tweeted. "Congratulations and all the best Kolo."

Fellow African icon Demba Ba said: "All the best big brother. So proud of you. May the journey begin."

And the move was also welcomed by the Confederation of African Football.

"A legendary managerial career in the making," read a tweet from the official account. "Best of luck in your next journey, Kolo."

And they were joined by Toure’s brother Yaya, who was himself linked with the post in the very initial stages of the process.

"Congratulations to my big brother, Kolo!! he tweeted. “Best of luck with Wigan!”

Immediately after being confirmed in the job, Toure snr jetted out to Turkey to join the Latics squad on their training camp.

They’ll return to the UK this weekend and have a full week’s training at Christopher Park before returning to league action on December 10 at Millwall.