Picture Courtesy: AFC Media

Stephen Constantine has announced that he will be stepping down from his role as the head coach of the Indian national team. India were knocked out of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 after a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Bahrain on Monday. At the post-match press conference, the Englishman addressed the media, announcing that he would be leaving the side after four fruitful years.

Constantine took over the reins in February 2015, taking India to new heights during his tenure. Under his stewardship, India reached their highest ever FIFA Ranking in over two decades and also qualified for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in eight years. He also led India to victory in the SAFF Championship in 2016 and in the Hero Intercontinental Cup in 2018. The 56-year-old also orchestrated India's first win in the Asian Cup since 1964 when the Blue Tigers beat Thailand 4-1 earlier this month. This was his second spell in charge of the national team, after having previously coached the side from 2002 to 2005.

Asked about his future during the post-match press conference after the match, the Englishman said, "Stephen Constantine is stepping down after this game. I have been here for four years. My objective from day one was to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup. I have done that and we have broken a few records. I am exceptionally proud of the players for everything they have given. I would like to thank the AIFF, particularly Mr Kushal Das and Mr Praful Patel because of the support they have given me in the last four years has been huge. My cycle here is finished and I think it is time to move on."

Reflecting on his two terms with the Blue Tigers, he said, “Look, the last time, I left the team in a better place than it was in 2002. Fast forward 10 years to 2015-2019, we are in a much better place than we were in 2005. For the younger players, the future is theirs. They have to qualify for these sorts of tournaments on a regular basis if they have to be successful. India have the players and the talent base to do that and, of course, I wish them nothing but the best. Obviously, I am sad to be leaving the boys. They have been fantastic to me.”

India put up a gritty front for almost the entirety of the match, before being undone by a late penalty. Holding out for a few more minutes would have kept the Blue Tigers in the competition and made for a more fitting swansong for Constantine. Speaking about the heartbreaking manner of the defeat, Constantine said, "To go out in the 90^th minute because of 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. They gave everything they could in the last few games."

“I thought we were unlucky. We defended well for ninety-odd minutes. As the 75^th 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,” he added.

Read the Match Report here.