Just-retired Drogba rules out ISL stint but open to coaching

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Press Trust of India Gurgaon
Last Updated : Nov 23 2018 | 7:55 PM IST

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has ruled out the possibility of coming out of retirement and playing in the Indian Super League, saying there is nothing left for him to achieve in his illustrious career.

The 40-year-old Drogba drew curtains to his two decade long career on Thursday and a day after he came on a tour to India, raising hopes of thousands of his Indian Chelsea fans.

But the former Ivory Coast international rubbished any such speculations, saying he is open to help Indian football in any capacity but not as an active player.

"I think there are other ways to encourage Indian football but I am not going to come out of retirement and play again," Drogba said, ruling out any chance of turning up for any ISL side like other international stars did.

"Once you announce that you are done it's good to try to stick to it. I have done and achieved everything in the last 20 years so I think it's time for me to relax a bit," he added.

Drogba, however, said he is open to the idea of giving back to the game as a coach in near future.

"After 20 years of experience on the football pitch. I think I have learnt a lot playing around those big players, those big managers. So this is something I cannot write off," he said.

Drogba is in the country on a promotional tour as global ambassador of Yokohama Tyres, a sponsor of the English Premier League side Chelsea.

Asked if he was willing to invest his time and money in India in future, Drogba replied: "I haven't thought about it. I don't know, may be, if the opportunity is right and everything goes according to plan then why not."

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First Published: Nov 23 2018 | 7:55 PM IST

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