New Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard to talk with Didier Drogba over striker's future

Chelsea's Didier Drogba sits on the bench prior to the preseason soccer match between SV Werder Bremen and FC Chelsea, in Bremen, northern Germany, Sunday Aug. 3, 2014. (AP Photo/dpa, Carmen Jaspersen) (The Associated Press)

Chelsea's Didier Drogba plays the ball during the preseason soccer match between SV Werder Bremen and FC Chelsea in Bremen, Germany, Sunday Aug. 3, 2014. Bremen won by 3-0. (AP Photo/dpa, Carmen Jaspersen) (The Associated Press)

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – New Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard says he will make a decision about Didier Drogba's international playing future after speaking with the veteran striker this month.

The 36-year-old Drogba has been mainly used off the bench in the last two major international tournaments but has made no indication he is ready to retire from the national team.

With Renard's appointment last week, the Ivorian federation emphasized the need to develop the next generation of players after the team's disappointing group-stage exit at the World Cup.

Renard told reporters Monday at his first news conference as Ivory Coast coach: "You will know his (Drogba's) future with the national team" by August 20.

Renard also said "we need to ask" why Ivory Coast's so-called golden generation hasn't won a title.