After the Exit from Asian Cup Stephen Constantine Step Down as a Coach

Stephen Constantine has resigned as the head coach of the Indian national team after the team crashed out of the AFC Asian Cup on Monday.
After the Exit from Asian Cup Stephen Constantine Step Down as a Coach

Stephen Constantine resigned from his position of Indian football team's head coach after the Blue Tigers suffered an exit from the group stage of the AFC Asian Cup 2019.

India needed a draw against Bahrain in their final group match to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time ever in their history. However, they were thwarted in cruel fashion as an 89th-minute penalty from Jamal Rashed handed Bahrain all three points.

Immediately after the defeat, the Englishman revealed that he had decided to step down from his position.


India had to bow out of the tournament after they suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss against Bahrain at the Sharjah Stadium on Monday. Jamal Rashed's 91st-minute penalty sent India on their way home, after a solid defensive performance from Constantine's men.

This was Constantine's second stint with the Indian side after having been at the helm between 2002 and 2005. He returned to the hot seat after taking over the reins for a second time in 2015, succeeding Netherlands' Wim Koevermans. Under the tutelage of Constantine, India did make progress, especially in Fifa world rankings, when they broke into the top-100 last year.

Addressing the media after the match, the Englishman said, "I've been here for four years. My objective from day one was to qualify for the Asian Cup and I've done that and we've broken a few records as we'd done that. I'm exceptionally proud of the players and everything they've given."

"To go out in the 90th minute with a penalty… it's really tough. The boys gave everything; I don't think we created as much as we normally do. The boys are sick as you can imagine and I am disappointed for them. They gave everything they could in the last few games." 

"We didn't intentionally set up for a draw. Obviously, Bahrain started with real energy, looking to get the early goal and as the game wore on, this is maybe a little inexperience on our side… we started defending deeper and deeper and deeper and in the end, we got punished. But I thought we were unlucky. We defended well for ninety-something minutes and as the 70th and 75th minute came on the boys thought, okay we can hold on. Bahrain were playing with six forwards and four in midfield, it was tough, but to get beaten by a penalty is harsh in anybody's eyes," 


"I have been here for four years. My objective from day one was to qualify for the Asian Cup and we have done that,"

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