Kolkata: Indian national football team coach Stephen Constantine has been offered a one-year extension by the All India Football Secretary (AIFF) without any hike in the salary. Confirming the news, AIFF secretary Kushal Das told xtratime.in, “Constantine’s salary will not be hiked as we feel his performances were below par.”
The British coach has been given an extension keeping in mind preparations for the 2019 Asian Cup.
According to Das, “Let’s see how we fare in the Asian Cup. Depending upon the performance of the national team we will decide on his future.”
Constantine has been offered a contract until February 2018. The 54-year-old Englishman has been given the offer by AIFF, following his recent success with the national team. The Indian team won 9 out of their last 11 matches including a win over higher ranked Peutro Rico. The national team also achieved a best FIFA ranking of 137 in the last 10 years.
AIFF secretary has already put forward the proposal to Stephen. It is up to the British coach to decide whether he want to renew his contract or not.
According to reliable sources it is learnt Constantine’s contract will be performance-based and his performance with the national team will be reviewed after every six months. The source also added, Constantine is expected to sign the extension contract later this week.
Recently AIFF President Praful Patel has commented that the national team is targeting qualification in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The AIFF secretary on being asked how realistic are the chances, he said, “What he (Praful Patel) was trying to refer was the Lakhshya 2022 plan set by Rob Baan.”