AIFF extends Indian national coach Stephen Constantine’s contract
Indian football team coach Stephen Constantine has signed a contract extension with the All India Football Federation until May 2018. This effectively means that the Englishman will see out India's AFC Asian Cup third round qualification which ends in March next year.
According to Goal.com, the AIFF has managed to convince Constantine to extend his stay by 14 months. Kushal Das, AIFF’s general secretary, had earlier stressed the importance of India qualifying for the 2019 Asian Cup, and the governing body of Indian football believes Constantine is the one who can get the team there.
Constantine’s first spell with the Indian team came between 2002 and 2005. It was his second spell that was more rewarding, though. Despite the disappointing results in the World Cup Qualifiers, it was under Constantine that India’s ranking rose to 129, and the team also triumphed at the SAFF Championship.
Since rejoining the team as coach in 2015, after Wim Koeverman’s contract ran out, India won nine, drew two and lost seven games.
The AIFF is deciding on a replacement for Lee Taylor, India’s U-19 coach and Constantine’s assistant, who is set to leave after his contract expires next month. Media reports suggest that an Indian might be appointed as Constantine’s assistant.
