Stephen in the Media

June 2004

taken from wldcup.com
by Rising Sun News

Exclusive Interview: A Passage From India
India National Team Coach Stephen Constantine

This week, the Rising Sun News was honoured to have the opportunity to speak with the national team coach of India, Stephen Constantine, as he prepares his squad to take on Japan in the second leg of World Cup qualification matches. Mr. Constantine has earned quite a bit of recognition, particularly in Asia, for his role in bringing India out of the "wilderness" of international football. In the past, football in India took a back seat to more popular sports like cricket. But since Mr Constantine assumed control, the country has begun to establish itself as a legitimate football confederation in Asia. Considering the country's huge size and rising economy, we can no doubt expect this progress to continue, in the years to come.
An international traveller who was raised both in England and Cyprus, Mr. Constantine has coached in a wide range of capacities, in countries ranging from Cyprus, Sudan and Iran to the United States, Nepal and India. He is the only Englishman to serve on the FIFA Instructor's Panel, and is one of its youngest members. He took over the India national team in 2002, and has since led the U-18 team to first place in the Ian Rush Trophy competition, held in Wales, and coached the full national team to victory in the 2002 LG Cup, held in Vietnam.

The Rising Sun News: Thank you for taking time out from your busy schedule to speak with us.

Stephen Constantine: My pleasure. Thank you for the opportunity to do this interview.

RSN: I'm sure that many of our readers have already heard your name, since the television coverage of Japan's first match with India discussed the fine success you have had in developing India's national team, over the past two years. (More information is available on Stephen Constantine's web site, at www.stephenconstantine.co.uk).

Could you tell us a bit more about your background, and how you came to accept the position of India national team coach?

SC: Well, it's a long story but the short version is that I started coaching at the age of 29, at a college in the United States. Following that experience, I was offered a coaching position in Cyprus at the youth level. I also had the opportunity to scout for England, at the U-18 Euro Championships, which was a great experience. I went on to coach at all levels in Cyprus.

RSN: And quite successfully, at that. You were selected "Manager of the Year" by the local football writers. When did you decide to make the move to coaching national teams in Asia?

SC: (Based on my experience in Cyprus), I was offered the job as National Team Coach in Nepal. We had some great results during my tenure (from 1999-2001), and this success eventually led me to India. I have coached all the national teams at some point or other in my two years here. That includes the full national team as well as the U-23, U-19, U-17 and U-14 youth teams.

RSN: India is an enormous country! It must be a huge job just trying to organise and develop the national team, to say nothing of dealing with the youth squads . . .

SC: Yes, it is a huge job, and a huge responsibility. But I love what I do, and I am always thinking of ways to improve the team and the organisation. as National Team coach, I believe that it is important to know what sort of talent is coming up (from the youth ranks). It is also important for the young players to see the head coach, and have a chance to work with him.

RSN: So you not only have a chance to keep track of the talented youngsters who are emerging, but can also motivate them, and guide their development ?

SC: There are many positive effects (from being involved with the youth teams), the main one being that the youngsters feel motivated, knowing that the head coach is looking at them. I also provide coaching education for the national coaches around the country, as well as watching the National league (India's domestic football league) to scout players who are, or who could be, members of the full national team.

RSN: Have you encountered any difficulties, or barriers, in your efforts to develop the team ?

SC: No, not really. . . well, things are difficult at times. In India we lack a lot of the things that other countries take as a given, and the mentality here before I arrived was that "it is ok to lose". From that point of view, I had to try to change the mental side. I hate losing at anything, and this reflects in my coaching. As for the facilities, (they are) ok, but sometimes we do face problems in terms of maintenance. However, I am only interested in developing good players, and not too bothered about (the quality of facilities), or anything else in that respect.

RSN: What sort of relationship have you had with the national team organisers, and with local coaches and staff ?

SC: The FA here have always tried to support me and my ideas, which are always aimed at the development of the football in India. I watch as many National league games as possible, and have a good relationship with the coaches. After all they are my eyes and ears when it comes to locating the players.

RSN: What was your strategy, or philosophy, in trying to develop India's national team ?

SC: Strategy (should be) based on the players that you have available, and how they can fit into a system. It is the players, after all, that make the system -- not the system that makes the players. Some coaches don? realize this, and it can cause problems if you insist on playing a system when you don? have the right players!

RSN: People in Japan can definitely relate to THAT comment. We used to have a flamboyant Frenchman here, who . . . . oh, but thats another story. Lets get back to discussing the players in India.

SC: Indian players are among the hardest working football players that I have come across, and though they generally lack the physical attributes (height and weight), their work ethic, enthusiasm, and desire to learn are great.

RSN: You mention physical attributes, which are a concern for many coaches in Asia. No doubt both diet and genetics play a part, but Asians do tend to be smaller. Is this something that you address specifically?

SC: I have laid down guidelines for selecting the national team (for the younger) age group levels, and we are going to be looking at height (as one important criteria). This is the biggest weakness we have at the moment. We are looking at ways we can try to overcome this problem. Sure, there are other things we need to improve as well, but our lack of height is really hurting us at the international level, especially on set plays.

RSN: What sort of football strategies do you prefer? Not to give away your national team's game plan against Japan, but in general, what strategies do you try to cultivate as a coach.

SC: I love attacking football, and always try to be positive (in my strategic plans). Of course, it is not always possible (to attack), and there are times when you need to just grit your teeth and grind out a result. I try to develop the players I have under me, and get them to express themselves rather then try to get them to copy someone else? style, since they may not be suited to (another team or player's style).

RSN: Are there any particular teams, or coaches, whose strategies you admire?

SC: There are a lot of great coaches and great teams, but each team is unique. Threre are a couple of coaches who I greatly admire, though. Arsene Wenger is one, and I was fortunate enough to spend an afternoon with him recently at Arsenal? training ground. It was a great experience, and he was quite interested in what I was doing in India. Alex Fergueson is another coach whom I admire. Both are winners, but with very different qualities.

I believe in hard work, discipline, and a love for the game, and I expect that commitment from my players, as well. Players make mistakes, and that? ok, but the work ethic of a player should never be in question. I can forgive mistakes, but (I cant forgive) players who do not put in a full effort.

RSN: Well, with those role models and that attitude, you must be setting high goals yourself.

SC: My background has always been to try and better myself as a coach. I have taken all the coaching qualifications through the FA in England, and have just recently received the UEFA Pro License Award. In England this license is awarded by invitation only. Included in my group, this year, were the likes of Peter Reid (Coventry) Steve McClaren (Middlesbrough) Mark Hughes (Wales) David Geddes (Newcastle) and several more top coaches in England.

RSN: That certainly puts you in good company. I imagine that your goals for your team are also ambitious. Historically, India has not been a very strong football power in Asia, but since you took over the national team, they are clearly improving.

SC: Yes we have done well, and I am very proud of what we have achieved here. (Our victory in the 2002) LG Cup was India? first win abroad for 32 years! With the U-18 team, we won the Ian Rush Trophy in Wales, beating Botofogo of Brazil 3-0 and Dynamo Kiev 2-1. These were great results for Indian football, and successes that the country never been achieved before, in football. (On a personal level,) winning the Asian coach of the month in November 2003 was a nice achievement. I hope that when I am finished here, (the successes) will carry on.

RSN: What do you think are the reasons for your success? What have you done right, to move India's football programme in such a positive direction?

SC: There are several reasons. First and foremost (credit goes to) the players. Without them I am nothing, and they have given me everything. I think I managed to change the mental approach (of the players), as far as being professional on and off the field. They also know that, no matter what happens, I will never criticize them in public. There is a mutual trust and respect (between myself and the players). I feel that the relationship you have with your players is vital to any team's success. As for my abilities as a coach, that is something that I cant answer. I will let other people judge me.

RSN: What are your goals for the national team, both short-term and long-term?

SC: My short term goal is to win the next game. My long term goal is to win the one after that !

Seriously, though, in order for India to realize its potential, the clubs (in the National league) need to start an aggressive youth development programme. They do not do enough (with younger players) at the moment, and this is a huge problem, in my opinion. Another important achievement for me (as India's national team coach) was getting the youth development program in place. We now have teams in all age groups. I also helped set up the sports medicine camps that are now being conducted in India.

Once the clubs do (set up strong youth programmes), there will be a lot more talented players coming through. Another issue (in India) is that they need to start coaching youngsters from the ages from 6-8. Get them young, and teach them the beauty of the game early. In India, the coaches don? (reach players at an early age). The result is that an Indian boy, at age 14, is just starting to really learn the game, while a European boy has already had maybe 6 or 7 years of coaching. I think that once (a youth football programme) is in place, India will produce more quality players. Hopefully, in time, the country will be able to compete at the top level in Asia.

RSN: You have already played Japan once, and will face them again on September 8, in India. What are yor impressions of the Japanese national team?

SC: A good, solid team, with a good understanding of the game. Japan also have good depth in the squad. They showed this by winning the Asian Cup -- even without their big name stars, they were still able to win the tournament. I think one of the main things that separates Japan from many other Asian countries is the domestic league. The J.League is very competitive, and it is producing a high caliber of talent. Players that can, and do, move to European leagues and perform well.

RSN: For the benefit of the Japanese fans, which players should we watch for? Who are the top players at present, and which youngsters are likely to impress us in the future?

SC: The big star in Indian football right now is Baichung Bhutia. He played in England for three years, at Bury. He is a very good striker who, in my opinion, can score goals at any level provided he gets the service from his teammates. In Japan, he was unable to show his qualities, (but that was because) we were having a hard time getting him the ball. Apart from Bhutia, there are about four players in the squad who are under 20. Debrata Roy and Habibour Rahaman are two who have impressed me, in particular. I believe in giving youngsters the chance to play, and I am hopeful that these youngsters can go on to perform for many years, at the top level. Two of them got their National Team debuts in Japan, and could play a part in the return leg as well.

RSN: Which the Japanese players impressed you the most? Which players do you consider to be the most dangerous, on the Japan national team?

SC: That is a tough question, since I don? see any of them on a regular basis. Shinji Ono is a great player, and really does well (on defence), easing the burden on the back line. Certainly, he has not been as prominent (recently, due to injuries), but he is still a vital player for Japan -- a hard worker who knows how to play. I also liked Kubo -- the typical big, strong center forward. (He is) a great threat in the air, has a nice first touch, and likes to throw his weight around, which is a very important quality for me. Nakata is also a great player, when fit, and can really hurt opposing teams.

RSN: Are there any characteristics of the Japan national team that set them apart from other Asian opponents? Any qualities that make them more dangerous, or any weaknesses?

SC: I think that the Japanese are open to new ideas, look to learn from every angle, and are always trying to improve. As I said, the J league is a good example of that. I think that switching to a "European" (single-stage) format will benefit the league, in general, as will a third division. Weaknesses are always going to be there, but it is hard for me to say . . .

RSN: Particularly just weeks before the big match! Fair enough, I wont ask you to give away any secret strategies (^c,^). How about the other two teams in the group? What are your impressions of Oman and Singapore?

SC: Oman are the only real threat to Japan, and could be a problem in the return game (in Oman, on October 13). Singapore did well in the first match against Japan, and on their day, they can be a problem. But they are not as aggressive or as quick a side as Oman. In fact, for me, Oman were one of the most impressive sides in the Asian Cup. I knew they would be tough to beat, though, and under (coach Milan) Macala, have done tremendously well.

RSN: How will you approach your matches against those two teams?

SC: Both of our matches are away, and both will be tough. Having beaten Singapore at home, we feel that we can go there and get a result as well, provided we play up to our potential. Oman, I believe, will be a tougher proposition. If they should manage to beat Japan, then they will need to beat us to have any chance of going through. Since it may all come down to goal difference, we could be in for very rough night. Hopefully, Japan will beat them, and take the sting out of the Oman team before we play them.

RSN: I won't ask for any predictions, but what goal have you set for the team in this qualification round? What would you view as a "successful" result?

SC: Well, honestly speaking, we knew we could not qualify from this group, and looking at the fixtures, I was originally hoping that we could just win our first home game. Singapore are ranked about thirty places above us, in the FIFA rankings, yet we managed to win (our first match). Against Oman, we had a bad day. (The players made) silly mistakes, and at this level, you get punished if you make those sort of mistakes.

In the return matches, I think we will be looking to cause Japan a few more problems, here (in India), and hopefully improve on the score line of the last match. You never know, if Japan have a really bad day and we play the game of our lives, we could pull off a surprise. It is my nature, no matter what the odds, to believe that we can always do something, and get (a positive result). Against the other two teams I am hoping to win in Singapore, and again, improve on the score line of our previous game against Oman.

RSN: What are your plans for the future? What do you intend to do after your term as head coach of the India NT is finished?

SC: I think my next step would be to a country where football is the major sport, or at least on par with the other major sports. One of the drawbacks to coaching in India is that football is not the number one sport. That takes away from any success you might have. A coaching position in any of the big footballing countries in Asia, or at a club in Europe would interest me. Recently had some contacts from Greece, with regard to coaching club football. Being half Greek, that could be an option.

However, I must say that I was very impressed with things in Japan, and would love the opportunity to coach there some day. I miss the day-to-day activity (that is characteristic of) coaching club football. I would like to enjoy that part of the game, once again. I do enjoy the quality of life in Asia, and I would like to stay (in Asia) if possible. In this profession (coaching), you don? always get to choose where the next job will be. But if I were given the chance to coach in Japan, that would definitely be one of my top choices.

RSN: I want to thank you once again for taking time to speak with the Rising Sun News. I'm sure our readers will enjoy your comments and insights on football.

SC: Well, I enjoyed the opportunity to do this interview, and would like to say that I think your web site is top class. I wish you luck for the future.

RSN: Best of luck to you as well, and to the India national team, in the remaining matches of this World Cup qualification round.