Open to Coaching Like ex-Chelsea Teammates Lampard, Terry: Drogba

The former Chelsea Striker Didier Drogba announced his retirement on Thursday, 22 November.

Chelsea FC legend and Yokohama Tyres Ambassador Didier Drogba during his visit to New Delhi on Friday, 23 November.

(Photo: The Quint)

Former Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, who was in New Delhi on Friday, 23 November, said a day after he announced his retirement that he would think about a career in coaching like his ex-teammates Frank Lampard and John Terry.

The 40-year-old has won three Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League with The Blues in his two stints with the London club.

“It is about time to start something else. I have been going on for 20 years. I have won a lot of trophies and I have met a lot of great and interesting people during my career. I finished by trying to give something back from my experience to younger players. For me this was the best way to finish off.”

Didier Drogba

Last year, after joining USL side Phoenix Rising FC, the Ivorian striker became the first player-owner of the American club in the sport’s history. Drogba said that even after his retirement, he would be associated with the club and will help them in their bid to join the Major Soccer League (MLS).

“That is my next news. I have decided to join the American soccer team Phoenix Rising. And that was part of my next move. I am already in that and that is what I am going to do next. I am going to help the team grow. Hope, if everything goes well, we could get an MLS license. That would be a great experience for me and the club as well.”

Didier Drogba

Drogba said that he is open to coaching offers and would not mind following in the footsteps of his former Chelsea teammates Frank Lampard and John Terry.

Lampard is managing the Championship club Derby County and former Chelsea Captain is the assistant coach at English club Aston Villa.

“When two of your friends (Frank Lampard and John Terry) are going there and obviously you also think that is what I should do. So, I am going to think about it after going back home.”

Didier Drogba

Winning the league in his first year with Chelsea, the Champions league win in 2012 against Bayern Munich and his return to Chelsea in 2014-2015 to claim the Premier League title once again, were among the striker’s top three moments at the club. He said:

“Winning back-to-back Premier League titles and winning the Champions League is like the red caviar and black caviar. It is impossible to choose.”

But we had a clear winner when Drogba’s 88th minute header against Bayern Munich was brought into the picture.

Drogba also had a word of encouragement for Chelsea’s Morata, who hasn’t clocked his best performances this year.

“I am more than happy to help him, but I feel it is of no use. He is a good scorer. He knows how to score goals. He scored goals for Juventus, Real Madrid, Spain and Chelsea. It is just a difficult moment and people have to be patient. They criticise him now and in two years’ time, they will say we believed in you.”

Didier Drogba

When asked who was the most ferocious defender he had played against, Drogba said he was terrorised by Terry during training sessions.

“I didn’t face him, but it has to be John Terry during my training. So, Terry, (Ricardo) Carvalho, Alex during training. When you play against these guys in training and when the weekend comes you know it will be tough, but you can handle it.”

Didier Drogba

From the opponent’s camp, Drogba picked his nemesis, who gave him some tough fight.

“I would say (Nemanja) Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, (Jamie) Carragher were the kind of players against whom you found it difficult. And they are the ones who help you to improve because you always needed to find ways to beat them. When you have played two to three times in a season, you know you have to bring variety to beat them.”

Didier Drogba

The former Galatasaray footballer also spoke about the importance of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in modern day football.

“I think it is a good idea because we need help. We are human beings and we can make mistakes. So, if a technology can help us correct our mistakes then it is a good idea. But at the end of the day, we are only trying that the officials take the right decision. That’s it,” said Drogba.

Looking back at his two decade-long career, Drogba said he felt blessed to be associated with ‘The Beautiful Game’ for so long.

“When I signed, I didn’t know that I would play so long. And now when I look back, everything went so quickly. It is like I didn’t have the time to enjoy or appreciate it. But the truth is I am very grateful for this career. I enjoyed playing these games, traveling to so many countries, and meeting a lot of great people. I think I am blessed.”

Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba was in the town as the Global Ambassador for Yokohama Tyres.