Constantine was the Indian national team coach on two occasions, 2002-05 and 2015-19, guiding them to SAFF Cup triumph in 2016 and the 2019 Asian Cup finals.
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Former India head coach Stephen Constantine has been interviewed by Indian Super League (ISL) club Chennaiyin FC for the head coach ‘s position. The 59-year-old tactician confirmed this on Twitter. Asked by a user if this was true, he responded in the positive. Two-time ISL champions Chennaiyin didn’t have a great last few season’s failing to qualify for the playoffs. Constantine was the Indian national team coach on two occasions, 2002-05 and 2015-19, leading them to multiple international trophies. He remains among the handful of coaches who were involved with the game in India during the erstwhile National Football League and the ISL.
Yes correct my mistake @ChennaiyinFC https://t.co/R3kMXoWgwt
— StephenConstantine (@StephenConstan) May 30, 2022
Constantine first took charge of the Indian team in May, 2002, when he coached the side in the World Cup qualifiers. India lost all their group stage matches except one against Singapore. However, the Englishman returned for a second stint in 2015 and helped the Blue Tigers reach the top tier of Asian football. In his second tenure, he guided the Indian team to the SAFF Cup triumph in 2016 and the AFC Asian Cup finals. In 2019, India qualified for the finals of Asian Cup for only the fourth time in their history and remarkably won their opening group stage match against Thailand 4-1. Although the Blue Tigers lost their next two games and couldn’t qualify for the knockout stage, they punched above their weight to make the Indian Football fans proud.
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Constantine ended his four-year stint after the Asain Cup and then came Igor Stimac, who is now preparing the Blue Tigers for their upcoming 2023 Asian Cup third round qualifiers. Under Constantine, the Indian team was often criticised for their defensive approach but the Englishman was able to squeeze out positive results. The Blue Tigers did make progress, especially in the FIFA world rankings after a string of good results. He was also instrumental in the development of some of the present stars of Indian football, like, Sandesh Jhingan, Pritam Kotal, Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan among others.
Chennaiyin FC finished eighth in the ISL standings last term. The Marina Machans are trying to retain the core of the team for the upcoming campaign, with Anirudh Thapa and Rafael Crivellaro extending his stay at the club. Constantine is well-versed with Indian football and many of the top Indian players. Thapa made his international debut under Constantine’s tenure in 2017 and played a key role in the Blue Tigers’ Asian Cup win against Thailand, scoring his debut international goal. The 24-year-old was named the captain of Chennaiyin FC ahead of the ISL 2021-22 season.
