My journey with the Indian football team is finished- Stephen Constantine

The English tactician stepped down from his role as the national team's head coach following the defeat to Bahrain in the Asian Cup.

India bowed out of the AFC Asian Cup in the cruellest manner after losing 0-1 to Bahrain in their final group game. An added-time penalty from Jamal Rashid gave Al-Ahmar all three points. Despite giving their everything and influential performances from Sandesh Jhingan, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Pronoy Halder, the Blue Tigers fell short in the end.

In an emotional post-match conference, Stephen Constantine delivered a shock, revealing that he's stepping down as India’s national team coach. He said, “My objective from Day One was to qualify for the Asian Cup. I’ve broken a few records at that. I’m exceptionally proud of the players for everything that they’ve given."

“I’m extremely thankful to the AIFF, to Mr Kushal Das and Praful Patil and the others. The support they’ve given me in the last four years has been huge. I think my journey is finished. I’ve done what I was asked to and quite a bit more. I think it’s time for me to move on after four years in India,” he added.

Also talking about the future of the team he explained, “See, the last time I was in India, 2002-2005, I left the team and the football country in a better place than it was when I joined. Fast forward 2015-2019, they are in a much better place than in 2005."

He further added, "We have a crop of young players. I think the future is theirs. They need to qualify for these tournaments on a regular basis to be successful. They have the talent pool to do that. I wish them nothing but the best.”

When it came to discussing the match, the coach explained his disappointment at going out in the last minute. He said, “Obviously I’m bitterly disappointed to go down in the 90th minute to a penalty. The boys gave their everything in the last few games. We didn’t create enough chances as we did in the previous two games and because of that we go home.”

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Constantine's team were criticized for “playing for a draw” against Bahrain and when asked about this he said, “We didn’t intentionally set out for a draw. Bahrain started with a lot of energy, looking to get an early goal. As the game went on, the inexperience in our side made us defend deeper and deeper towards the end, which cost us.”

“This is a very young team. We lack a bit of experience. As the 70th minute and 80th minute came, Bahrain were playing with six forwards and four midfielders, so it was stuffed. But, as I said in the beginning, we didn’t come here to get the draw. Subconsciously, perhaps the players thought that, but that was never what I intended,” he further explained.

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Upon being asked whether Lady Luck failed to help India on the day the English gaffer said, “I don’t think we deserved the elimination. Overall, we did more than what people expected. The boys have exceeded expectations. We were unlucky not to score against the UAE and today we’re unlucky not to hold out for another 3-4 minutes. That’s football!”

Finally, asked whether this was the saddest day of his managerial career Constantine opined, “No, I don’t think it’s my saddest day. It’s not a great day, to be honest. These things happen in football. Sometimes you don’t get what you deserve in footballing life. I don’t think we did enough to win the game. Obviously, I’m upset to be leaving the players and the boys. They’ve been fantastic for me, every single one of them. It’s time to move on. I haven’t lived in my own house for six years!”