Yaya Toure has revealed he came close to quitting Manchester City this summer but stayed out of loyalty to Manuel Pellegrini.

The midfielder has been a driving force behind the club's ascent to the top of the Barclays Premier League this season.

But he only stayed put after manager Pellegrini helped him cope with the death of his younger brother Ibrahim last year.

Yaya Toure has revealed he only stayed at Manchester City for his manager Manuel Pellegrini

Toure has helped City to the top of the Premier League as they bid to regain the title

In a book called 'Pellegrini's Methods', Toure 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.'