Ivorian legend and former international – Didier Drogba has been given the prestigious mantle of leading his country’s national men’s football team as head coach.
Born in the economic capital city of Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire, the 45-year-old signed a four-year contract with the Ivorian Football Federation with clear objectives leading up to the 2026 mundial in Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico.
With Ivory Coast hosting the next Africa Cup of Nations come January 2024, winning the continental gong again since 2015 sits among the priorities laid out for the former Chelsea and Olympique de Marseille football icon.
He will also be in the dugout should the Elephants qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as Drogba is poised to put his recently acquired UEFA Pro License for coaching to the test.
This would be Drogba’s first professional experience in the dugout for any football team, and the Abidjan-born striker is elated to start on home soil.
“It’s a pleasure for me to be back in Africa to start my coaching career with my country (Cote d’Ivoire),” Drogba said in a press conference.
“I talked with Yaya Touré to join me as an assistant coach and I’m waiting on his decision if he will accept to join me.
Drogba also stated the objectives expected of him noting his conversation with the country’s President, Sir Alassane Ouattara, on winning trophies and the consequences of failure.
“The president of the country, Sir Alassane Ouattara wants to see Ivory Coast players holding the 2026 world cup title.
“And I will be expelled from my country definitely and my nationality will be withdrawn from me if I do not achieve this goal,” Drogba said.
