Didier Drogba not joining Chelsea coaching staff this season reveals Guus Hiddink

However, Hiddink has confirmed that Drogba will be staying with MLS outfit Montreal Impact, although an eventual return to Stamford Bridge is still possible.

After the 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday, he said: “In the short-term, yes (there is no prospect)”.

Earlier this month, Drogba revealed he was in talks with the Impact about a return, and on Sunday the ex-Ivory Coast worldwide confirmed his decision.

“There is no time issue on this”.

The Ivorian sat in the stands with Abramovich and manager Guus Hiddink during a Chelsea match in December, further fuelling speculation he was headed back to Stamford Bridge.

He will then join up with the team in the second Florida camp from February 15.

The 37-year-old Drogba, who has a year to run on his contract with the Canadians, scored 164 goals in 381 appearances for the Blues, 157 of the strikes coming in 341 appearances in his first spell, which concluded with the 2012 Champions League victory in Munich.

At the time, Montreal admitted that Drogba had expressed a “desire to help” Chelsea and that the situation was “out of our control”. “I wish him all the best now for one of his last seasons”.

They open the regular season March 6 in Vancouver and play their home opener March 12 against the Red Bulls at Olympic Stadium.

And after discussing with Montreal, Drogba has stated that he is set to join their pre-season training camp in Qatar.