Former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba denies he is set to retire

Posted Thursday, January 07, 2016 by skysports.com

Didier Drogba remains in discussions with Montreal Impact over his future

Didier Drogba says he remains in discussions with Montreal Impact over his future, insisting reports over his retirement are premature.

A report in French newspaper L'Equipe on Wednesday night claimed Drogba was set to retire from professional football and return to London to undertake a coaching role at former club Chelsea under interim manager Guus Hiddink.

However, the 37-year-old, who still has a year to run on his contract at Montreal, tweeted: "Lovely to receive these messages but I have not yet announced my retirement & am still in discussion with @impactmontreal about my future."

Drogba joined Montreal last summer after leaving Chelsea for the second time in his career and scored 12 goals in 14 appearances during his debut season in Major League Soccer.

Former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba denies he is set to retire
Drogba watched Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Sunderland alongside Guus Hiddink

However, he has been repeatedly linked with a return to Chelsea following the appointment of Hiddink as Jose Mourinho's successor at Stamford Bridge.

The former Ivory Coast international watched Chelsea's first match since the departure of Mourinho alongside Hiddink and owner Roman Abramovich against Sunderland on December 19, fuelling speculation he was set to accept a coaching role under the Dutchman.

Despite Hiddink confirming his desire to bring Drogba back to Chelsea, the forward could decide to see out his contract with Montreal.

Drogba scored 164 goals in 381 appearances for Chelsea, 157 of the strikes coming in 341 appearances in his first spell, which concluded with the 2012 Champions League victory in Munich.

He left Chelsea for two seasons after his silverware-laden eight-year spell and has won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups with the club.