NEW DELHI:
Stephen Constantine
has decided to step down as the head coach of the
Indian football team following team's exit from
2019 AFC Asian Cup
. India went down fighting against Bahrain in their last Group A match on Monday.
India conceded an injury time goal through a penalty to lose 0-1. They were on the verge of booking their maiden knock-out round berth in the continent's biggest stage as the scoreline remained 0-0 till the 90th minute when captain Pronay Halder brought down a Bahrain attacker for the referee to point to the dreaded spot.
"I have been here for four years. My objective from day one was to qualify for the Asian Cup and we have done that," Constantine said while announcing his resignation.
"I am exceptionally proud of the players for everything that they have given. I thank the All India
Football
Federation (AIFF), Kushal Das, Praful Patel and Abhishek Yadav for the support that they have given me.
"I think my cycle is finished. I did what I was asked. It is time for me to move on," he added.
The 56-year-old Constantine, who had earlier coached India from 2002 to 2005, was handed over reins of the team again in 2015. He guided India to the Asian Cup after a gap of eight years.