All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
What this husband said is not considered a divorce because he planned or promised to divorce but this is not considered a divorce until he actually initiates it. The questioner clarified in the question that the husband did not initiate divorce.
We would like to warn the husband that this style is not good between the spouses in treating each other.
Rather, the spouses should try their best to solve their problems between them. The husband should not tell others that he intends to divorce his wife as this may worsen the situation, affect her psychologically, and open the door for others to interfere in their private matters.
Allah knows best.