A bit of a gem in The Sunday Times today:

Chelsea want Drogba as strikers’ coach

DIDIER DROGBA is considering rejoining Chelsea when his contract with Galatasaray expires in June. Drogba, 35, who is preparing for Wednesday’s Champions League match against his former club, has been offered the chance to start his coaching career under Jose Mourinho and to join the first-team squad as a back-up striker. Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, has sanctioned the approach.

The opportunity to play at Stamford Bridge for the first time since he led Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2012 — he scored a late equaliser and a shootout decider in the final against Bayern Munich — is regarded by Drogba as “a gift from Godâ€. So powerful is the Ivorian’s affinity with Chelsea that he rejected a multimillion-pound offer to move from Galatasaray to Major League Soccer in the winter transfer window. He did not want to miss the two round-of-16 ties.

While the MLS remains interested in taking him to America this summer, Drogba is assessing the option of a move to Chelsea. The plan is for him to begin his education as a coach by assisting his former manager and close friend Mourinho, initially specialising as a mentor to the club’s strikers at a range of age levels. The role could involve Drogba playing for Chelsea again. While Mourinho has made the acquisition of an elite centre-forward his main priority this summer, Drogba could operate as a top-quality back-up to a younger signing. Fernando Torres, one of Chelsea’s biggest earners, would leave, as probably would Samuel Eto’o.

At the start of the season Drogba said: “I still hope I have three more good years at a high level. I just play and, of course, I will know when it’s time to stop.â€

When he left Chelsea two years ago he joined the Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua to maximise his salary and provide funds for the building and operation of a hospital in the Ivory Coast.

According to the MLS commissioner, Don Garber, Drogba rejected a contract offer worth more than £6m a year from the United States in favour of Shanghai’s offer, which amounted to nearly £15m. Drogba left 13 months ago after the Chinese failed to meet their salary commitments in full. MLS clubs have made at least two further attempts to take him to the States. The latest is understood to have been driven by Seattle Sounders. Drogba usually spends his off-season holidays in the United States but his ties to Chelsea are far stronger. His wife and children still live near the club’s Cobham training ground.

I for one would be very happy with this. Having Drogba around to coach and mentor Lukaku plus A.N Other would be perfect, providing that we are able to offload Torres.

I'd love to see him back in a coaching role, but a top class player does not automatically a top class coach or manager make.

Zanetti and Drogba as part of an all star coaching team?

Who's next, Carvalho? Deco?

I'm cynical about all these coaching role rumours in truth because they so rarely materialise

Coaching yes. Player, no. 

 

He went out in the best way possible. Let's end it there.

Coaching yes. Player, no.

He went out in the best way possible. Let's end it there.

I'd feel the same.

Coaching yes. Player, no. 

 

He went out in the best way possible. Let's end it there.

 

would have to agree with you on that! 

I can't see him retiring yet. I'm sure he has a few years left in him. A move to America or somewhere is on the cards I think.

I think there is somewhere in the realm of 0% chance of this happening.

I would have him back as a player/coach. Just a nice back up to have around. As DD still has a few decent years left in him i doubt he would go for this.

A move to the MLS is on the cards for sure imo.

I would have him back as a player/coach. Just a nice back up to have around. As DD still has a few decent years left in him i doubt he would go for this.

A move to the MLS is on the cards for sure imo.

I think he`ll end up in the MLS too. He pretty much admitted he will folllow the money for a few seasons now to keep his charities and foundations in cash.

I read yesterday that he turned down a move to the MLS last month because he wanted to play us in the CL. If this is true then there is clear interest in a move to the MLS. I wonder what lucky team are going to pick him up. He will smash that league apart.

I would be worried that the return of Drogba would affect Torres' form.

I would be worried that the return of Drogba would affect Torres' form.

HAHA

Epic

Bring back the King please.

He'll probably go to Beckhams new franchise with Frank

I dont think that will be set up in time. Im guessing Beckham's team will be set up next season.

I call Torres becomming Chelsea's top scorer if DD comes back to coach him.

I call Torres becomming Chelsea's top scorer if DD comes back to coach him.

 

Drogba was a great player at his peak but as a coach he will have a lot to learn. He ain't no miracle worker.

He'll probably go to Beckhams new franchise with Frank

This.

 

Wouldn't be surprised to see Ash working with Beckham again either.

http://gianlucadimarzio.com/calcio-internazionale/chelsea-gala-emissario-della-juve-a-stamford-bridge-oscar-willian-e-drogba-osservati-speciali/

 

Juventus are convinced Drogba already has a deal to come back to England in the summer.