Reports emerged on Tuesday that Didier Drogba was bound for a Chelsea return, and the club’s new manager has responded by reiterating his desire to add the Ivorian in a coaching role.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink says that he would prefer the Montreal Impact striker to return to Chelsea in a coaching capacity rather than in an ambassador role. However, the Dutchman also admitted that the decision was out of his hands as Drogba mulls over his own future.
“A few days ago before the Sunderland game I said that those rare kind of former players with this status would be very good for any club to have,” Hiddink said on Wednesday. “Especially him because he’s a Chelsea legend, but for the moment we have to respect his contract with Montreal. It depends on the player himself, you need to give them time and opportunities to find out what the best is for them.
“It may be on the coaching staff or maybe as an ambassador, but that is too official and functional for me,” Hiddink added. “They need to go into the squad and help players with their experience. I am not in favor of a big ambassador role – traveling round the world with a tie on. They must give their huge experience to help especially the young kids and helping older ones with problems in their career.”
Drogba, who scored 11 times in as many regular season games for the Impact last season, but has recently been linked with a departure from the club. According to reports, Drogba has very little chance of fulfilling his contract with the club, which is set to expire after the 2017 MLS season.
What do you think of Hiddink’s comments? Think Drogba will leave the Impact?
Share your thoughts below.
Premier League=Retirement League
Why are people complaining and whining? If he is past or over playing and wants to retire, he can go. He is giving up over half his contract.
I don’t care what league you’re playing in, if you’re “fighting relegation” you don’t bring Drogba as a coach. For one thing, well, he’s not a coach, even if he knew how to coach, which he doesn’t. The whole thing is just idiotic.
It seems odd to me that Drogba would leave for a coaching role, a role that could be pursued any time after his playing career. He proved to still have plenty left in the tank this season with Montreal as a player.
Becoming a coach at Chelsea is extremely difficult. He should jump at it.
Why should he jump at it? Chelsea is not going anywhere and neither is his status with the club.
Becoming a coach at Chelsea is obviously not difficult if you’re Didier Drogba. Previous coaching experience not even required.
Have a strange feeling Drogba’s going to arrive as a “coach” and eventually return to the pitch as a “player/coach”.
100% agree