Stephen Constantine (born 16 October 1962) is an English professional footballcoach and former player who is the manager of the Pakistan national team.
Early and personal life
Constantine was born on 16 October 1962 in London.[1][2] He is of Greek-Cypriot descent.[2] He is a fan of English club Arsenal.[3] Constantine is married and has three daughters; his family were living in Cyprus while he was coaching in Sudan.[4]
In January 2007, he was on a two-man shortlist, alongside Carlos Alberto da Luz, for the manager's job of the Malawi national team.[8] He was named as Malawi manager in February 2007, with the role beginning on 1 March 2007.[9] He resigned in April 2008.[10]
In July 2013, he was linked with the Jamaica national team vacancy.[14] He became the assistant manager of Greek club Apollon Smyrni in November 2013.[15] He set up the British Coaches Abroad Association in November 2013.[16]
Constantine in 2014
He became manager of the Rwanda national team in May 2014,[13] taking charge of his first match in June.[17] He stated his aim was to build a team strong enough to challenge for the 2016 African Nations Championship, which Rwanda were due to host.[18] In December 2014 Rwanda attained their highest ever ranking, of 68th position.[19] Later that month he was linked with a return to India as their new national manager,[20][21] and in early January 2015 he was offered the position.[22]
Return to India
In December 2014, it was reported that Constantine would become the next head coach of India again, after Wim Koevermans' contract ran out.[23] He would beat the favourite for the position, Ricki Herbert.[23] On 16 January 2015, it was confirmed that Constantine had returned to take over India for a second stint.[24]
His first match as India head coach came on 12 March 2015 in the qualifier against Nepal at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. Two goals from Sunil Chhetri lead India to a 2–0 victory and lead going into the second leg in Kathmandu.[25] A 0–0 draw at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium saw India progress to the next round of World Cup/Asian Cup qualifying.[26] As a result of India's top results against Nepal, the country saw a rise by 26 in the April FIFA World Rankings to 147.[27]
In April 2015, it was announced that India would be placed in Group D for the World Cup/Asian Cup qualifiers with Asia's top side, Iran, as well as Oman, Turkmenistan, and Guam.[28] India came bottom of the group, winning only one game.[29]
In January 2016, Constantine led India to the SAFF Championship title, beating Afghanistan 2–1 in the final. He led India to 100th in the FIFA rankings as of June 2017.[30] The win against Kyrgyzstan in June was India's eighth in a row.[31] The unbeaten streak ran to 13 games, including 11 wins, but ended with a 2–1 defeat to Kyrgyzstan in March 2018.[32] In 2016 he rejected the opportunity to manager English League One club Port Vale.[33]
At the 2019 Asian Cup, Constantine said he was aiming for progression from the group stages.[37] The team won their opening game against Thailand, but finished fourth in their group after conceding a last-minute penalty in their final group game against Bahrain, and Constantine resigned from his position as manager.[38] After his resignation, the All India Football Federation president Praful Patel said: "It's been a wonderful journey. We have travelled a long distance together, and the world has seen it all."[39] Constantine took India from 173 in the FIFA World Rankings in March 2015 [40] to 97 in December 2018.[41]
Later career
In January 2021 he became chief football operations officer at Cypriot club Pafos.[42] In February 2021 he was appointed head coach.[43] His contract expired on 30 June 2021.[44]
In January 2022 he was linked with the vacant role as the Singapore national team manager.[45]
Constantine led Pakistan to their first-ever victory in World Cup qualifiers in their first fixture at home in 8 years by beating Cambodia, and qualifying for the second round for the first time.[50]
FIFA
Constantine has worked as a FIFA Instructor,[51] and is a member of FIFA's elite coaching panel.[3]
^ abcIan Hughes (14 December 2005). "Passage from India". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 21 December 2005. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
^Jeff D. Opdyke (19 June 2009). "The Coach of Lost Causes". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
^Aubrey Sumbuleta (19 January 2007). "Two in frame for Malawi job". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 22 January 2007. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
