Report: Didier Drogba will retire to join Guus Hiddink's staff at Chelsea

Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba is set to retire from professional soccer to pursue a coaching position at Chelsea, according to reporting from L’Equipe. The French sports daily cited “Canadian sources” in reporting the former Ivorian international will inform his Major League Soccer that he intends to take a coaching position at Chelsea FC.

Drogba spent two spells as a player at Stamford Bridge, winning three Premier Leagues, three League Cups, four FA Cups and one UEFA Champions League during his two tenures with the club. Following Chelsea’s recent firing of manager Jose Mourinho, Drogba had been linked with a return to his former club. If today’s reports are correct, that return will coincide with the end of his playing career.

The 37-year-old forward is coming off a highly successful first season with Montreal, helping the Impact return to the MLS playoffs with 11 goals in 11 games after joining the team in August. Previously expected to return for a full season in Quebec, Drogba will now retire with 189 league goals between stints in France, England, China, Turkey and North America.

According to L’Equipe, Drogba is expected to be part of Guus Hiddink’s staff by the time Chelsea start their Champions League Round of 16 tie against French champions Paris Saint-Germain on Feb. 19. Per the report, FIFA-mandated compensation to Montreal as part of Drogba’s departure has yet to be agreed upon between the two clubs.