A year ago, we at IndianFootball.Com had done the first interview with Stephen Constantine, when he was one of the candidates to become new Indian national team coach. It took a while but Stephen was appointed India chief coach in June and started his work in July with a training camp in Jamshedpur.
At the end of the year 2002, we wanted to know from Stephen how his first few month's and his tough asignments as Indian national team coach have been, and how the outlook is for the coming years, as Stephen has been given a three year contract by the AIFF.
IndianFootball.Com was able to do an eMail interview with Mr. Constantine.

First of all, congratulations to the successful start as Indian national team coach!
How have the first three month's as Indian football national team coach been for you?

Well as you can imagine after winning the LG Cup and doing fairly wellin the Asian games it has been a great start to my career here in india and I hope the catalyst of things to come for Indian football.

What did you expect to find, when you came down to India?

I had heard a lot of negative things, but I like to approach things in a positive manner and went in to the job that way.I am not concerned with what happened before.

Has your opinion about Indian football changed since you have been down?

Definately India players can do all the things that people were telling me they cant!!! Belief is the key I approach every game with the belief I can win it and that is how we play now. We might not win all the games we play but we will not give in in to any team. We will respect everyone and fear no one!!!!!!

What do you think needs to change in the coming month's/years for Indian football to develop into a top Asian side?

Our league must improve, and by that I mean the coaches have to get better they have to offer the players more in the way of tactical and mental training. A Korean side beat our champions 6-0 I think that says alot and if you add the fact that the Korean side were placed 10 in there league it shows we have a long way to go.

How was the first camp in Jamshedpur for you?
How did the boys react to you and your coaching methods?

Very good and excellent in that order.

Who would you name as the most talented players in our national team?

They are all talents in there own right and I do not like to single out individuals.

Do you think, we have got any players in the team, who can make it in Europe or in some other bigger league in Asia?

Most definately we do and it is just a matter of time and the right exposure. WE already had a player who in my opinion succeeded Baichung Bhutia.

You have been quite successful with the Indian team, winning the LG Cup in Vietnam, drawing against the much higher-ranked Jamaicans in Wolverhampton and performing well in the Asian Games group stage.
But what would you rate as your biggest achievements so far?

I would say winning the LG Cup was a great experience and as a coach any international tournament you win is very satisfying.

You have received a three year contract as Indian National Coach.
What do you want to achieve in the short- and medium-term with India?

As much as possible. WE have great potential and I want to lead India to the next level we should be in the World Cup but we will have to work hard and be consistent, it can be done and I want to be the one to do it.

What can we expect from the Indian team at the SAFF Cup 2003 in Dhaka in January?

ATTACK, ATTACK ATTACK Is there any other way!!!!

For the Asia Cup 2004 preliminary Round qualifiers, India have been given the toughest team in the preliminaries, North Korea.
How do you see our chances?

Yes a very tough draw and even tougher after that, of course it would have been better if we had played an easier team but we need to compete against the better teams so we can get better.

Also would you say, the draw was unfair, as teams like Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam (team we have beaten at the LG Cup) and even Palestine were drawn in the Qualifying Round ahead of India, who will have to play in the preliminary Round?

As for the draw being unfair I wouldn't say that, they come out of a hat or bowl and thats that. As for the other teams they have done more then us over the last few years and have played alot more games so I suppose the AFC have taken that into consideration thats all I can say on that.

Thank you Stephen for giving us this informative interview!

For more information on Stephen Constantine go to his personal website. The URL is http://www.stephenconstantine.com/ .