Former Ivory Coast international Arouna Koné has begun a new chapter in football after being appointed vice-president and sporting director of French club US Sailly-Saillisel.
The former striker, who played at the highest level in Europe during his professional career, has joined the club’s leadership alongside newly appointed president David Iayadene.
Koné, 42, is expected to use his experience from top-level football to help restructure the club and strengthen its development programme.
The former Ivory Coast international enjoyed a career that took him through some of Europe’s major leagues.
He played for Sevilla FC in Spain and also experienced the English Premier League before eventually moving into life after professional football.
His new responsibilities at US Sailly-Saillisel will see him work away from the pitch, with a particular focus on the sporting direction of the club.
Koné and Iayadene are aiming to revitalise the French side by establishing a stronger structure around the development of young players.
The project will seek to give local youngsters an environment in which they can develop while learning the standards and discipline associated with high-level football.
For Koné, the appointment provides an opportunity to transfer lessons from his playing career into football administration.
The Ivorian spent years competing at professional level and is now taking that experience into a leadership position, where his understanding of the demands of elite football could help shape the club’s sporting strategy.
His influence has already extended beyond the boardroom.
Koné was involved as US Sailly-Saillisel successfully negotiated the first round of the Coupe de France. The former striker is expected to be present again on Sunday when the club takes part in the second round.
That involvement gives Koné an opportunity to remain close to the football side of the club while carrying out his administrative responsibilities.
His appointment marks another stage in a career that began on the pitch and took him to some of Europe’s most competitive football environments.
As a striker, Koné represented Ivory Coast at international level and built a reputation through his club career in Europe.
His time at Sevilla and in the Premier League provided him with experience of different football cultures and demanding competitive environments.
That background is now central to the role he has taken up at US Sailly-Saillisel.
Rather than simply overseeing recruitment and the senior team, Koné’s sporting responsibilities are expected to form part of a broader effort to create a pathway for young players.
The club’s leadership wants to give local talent a stronger foundation and expose developing players to the standards required to progress in football.
For a former international player, the role also offers an opportunity to contribute to the game in a different capacity.
Koné is no longer competing for trophies as a striker, but his knowledge of professional football remains an important part of his new role.
His appointment comes as football clubs increasingly rely on former players to bring playing experience into their sporting departments.
At US Sailly-Saillisel, Koné will now combine that experience with the responsibilities of a vice-president and sporting director.
The immediate focus is on helping the club progress in the Coupe de France, with the second-round fixture providing another opportunity to assess the team’s development.
Beyond the cup competition, however, the longer-term objective is to build a stronger sporting structure.
