This archive report was first published on 14 September 2019.
Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has rejected an offer to return to the club as a coach, citing a desire to have a greater impact on the game in his home country of Ivory Coast.
Speaking at a business forum in Abidjan, Drogba revealed that Chelsea had approached him with the offer, but he declined, stating that being a coach was not his ultimate goal.
"I am a leader, and my vision is bigger than just the simple role of being a coach," Drogba said. "A coach has an impact on a club - but I want to have an impact on an entire nation."
Drogba, a two-time African Footballer of the Year, has set his sights on becoming the president of the Ivorian Football Association, a position that will become available later this year when the current head, Augustin Sidy Diallo, steps down.
With a storied career that includes four Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy with Chelsea, Drogba is confident in his ability to make a positive impact on the game in Ivory Coast.
"The Ivory Coast has a glorious footballing past," he said. "The funds are in place, together with talent and potential, but they are under-exploited. There are some very competent people in the Ivory Coast who can work with me on this project."
