January 06, 2016 - 3:04 PM
MONTREAL - Didier Drogba has poured cold water on a report that he is retiring from the Montreal Impact to join Chelsea's coaching staff.
But his denial did not include a confirmation he would be back with the MLS team.
A report in L'Equipe, a prominent French sports publication, that Drogba was hanging it up drew instant response from both Montreal and Chelsea fans.
Citing Canadian sources, L'Equipe said Drogba had called the Impact to announce his retirement. The MLS team disputed that, as did the player himself.
"Lovely to receive these messages but I have not yet announced my retirement & am still in discussion with @impactmontreal about my future," the 37-year-old Ivory Coast striker tweeted.
Drogba, who wasted little time making his presence felt on and off the field after joining the Impact mid-season in 2015, has one more year remaining on his MLS contract.
He scored 11 goals in 11 regular-season games, adding another in Montreal's three-game trip into the playoffs.
He has been linked to his former club Chelsea, which is looking to steady the ship in the wake of a disastrous start to the English season that saw manager Jose Mourinho axed, since he was seen in the stands alongside club owner Roman Abramovich and interim manager Guus Hiddink during a Dec. 19 game against Sunderland.
On Dec. 20, Hiddink said there was no change in the situation regarding Drogba taking up a role at Chelsea.
The Impact open training camp Jan. 26.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016