AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The Indian National Team has undergone a massive fillip in recent times and ever since British Coach Stephen Constantine took over way back in February 2015, the National Team is on an upward surge in the FIFA Rankings, achieving its best ever FIFA Rank since February 1996 in July 2017 where India are ranked 96 in the latest FIFA Rankings. 

From being ranked 173 in March 2015 before Constantine could have his first game in-charge, to being ranked 96 in the latest FIFA Rankings, one of the architects of India's massive leap in the FIFA Ladder has been the British Coach. In an interview with BBC website journalist Owen Amos and co-author of Stephen Constantine's book 'From Delhi to the Den', Constantine said, " I love India and everything it has given me and my family. I can’t tell you how proud I am to be India manager, not once but twice. So am I nervous? Not nervous – excited, maybe. I feel I have earned the right to give my honest opinion. I have no agenda other than the betterment of Indian football"

"There have been many people who turn up and criticise India and its people – “They don’t have this or that, it’s better where I come from” – and I really hate that. The thing to ask is: “What can I do to help? How can we make it better?” I have always tried to do that. Yes, I can be critical, but it’s for good reason"

"I will always do whatever I can to help my association. It’s about repaying their faith in me, and of course leaving behind a legacy", he added.

For the full interview log on to : http://www.decoubertin.co.uk/blog/why-we-write-stephen-constantine-in-conversation-with-owen-amos-/