Stephen Constantine has managed four national teams – Nepal, India, Sudan, and Malawi – which is more than any other Englishman, bar Roy Hodgson. He lives in Cyprus, and most recently managed the Cypriot top division club, Ethnikos Achna. In his second Footballers’ Football Column, he writes about an interview in Guinea Bissau and life as an unemployed football manager…
I flew to the capital, Bissau, and we met the president of the football federation. Before I went, we’d agreed a two-year contract. The president wanted to make it three, which was fine. But things were delayed while he went to the FIFA Congress in Mauritius, and by the time he returned, there had been a change in government.
As I understood it, the government needed to sign off on the contract. The change meant more delay, more uncertainty, and more hanging round a hotel in Bissau. By this time, I’d been there almost two weeks. I was supposed to be in and out within a week.
Out of work: Stephen Constantine has been out of work since February
Traveling the world: Constantine went to the FIFA Congress in Mauritius
I’ve been unemployed since late February, when I left the Cypriot top division side, Ethnikos Achna. When I took over, the club hadn’t won in eight months. Our first win came against my old side, Nea Salamina, who I’d got promoted to the top division. As I walked to the dugout, I got a fantastic reception from the Salamina fans, which I’ll always remember. But the match was tasty. There were tackles flying in, plus some hand to hand combat!
We won three in a row at Ethnikos, and pulled away from the relegation zone. But, like a lot of clubs in Cyprus, they didn’t pay on time. The staff and players – myself included – went months without money, I couldn’t stay.
Being out of work is a horrible feeling. I’ve got a wife, three kids, a mortgage. But it’s not just money – I miss the game. If I could afford to, I’d work for free. Football is my life, but it’s harder than ever to find a job. There are so many coaches out there, and they’re more willing to travel. When I started, you wouldn’t get many European coaches willing to join, for example, Guinea Bissau. Now there’s more competition.
A couple of months ago, I was on the Keys and Gray show on talkSPORT. I’ve been on before, and it’s a great show. Afterwards, I got an email from someone at a club – in the Ryman League. They asked me to apply for the manager’s job. It was really good of them to get in touch, and I was grateful for the offer, but I need to aim higher than the Ryman League. I need to be full-time.
Never mind that I’ve managed four national teams, two teams in the Cypriot top division, been first team coach at Millwall in the Championship, had the UEFA Pro Licence since 2004, and am just starting my 14th year as a FIFA instructor.
It’s not easy to get that FIFA job. You need to be invited by someone on the technical panel, recommended by two separate national associations, and endorsed by someone on the FIFA executive committee. There are 50 or so of us in total. It’s a huge honour.
On the move: Constantine went to Jamaica as part of the his role with FIFA
I’ve just got back from Jamaica, running courses for coaches and players. I enjoy training the coaches almost as much as training the players. Since becoming a FIFA instructor, I’ve run courses in Iran twice, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Ivory Coast, Moldova, Lithuania, Singapore, Swaziland, Bhutan and many more countires. It’s been an amazing way to see the world, and you learn so much. I’m very lucky to do what I do, even if I do it in difficult places.
I’m English, so it was sad to see the Under 21s in the European Championships. It’s not all bad – they’ve qualified for the past four finals – but some players seem to have a touch of arrogance. “I’m in the Premier League, I’m playing for Man City, Tottenham, whoever, and you’re not”.
Disappointing: Stuart Pearce has left his post as U21 manager
Things are improving at academy level, but there’s more to do. At youth level, we should be less interested in winning, and playing the “big guy”. We’re also getting rid of the ball too quickly. You look at European teams, South American teams, and they’re all comfortable on the ball, not just two or three players all of them. Football’s a simple game: get the ball down, give it, get it, do simple things quickly. If there’s movement, you’ll be okay. People shouldn’t over-complicate it.
My next job could be anywhere in the world, which is exciting. It really could be anywhere: recently I applied for a club in the A League (they asked for more details, but in the end gave it to a local coach) and I have feelers out all over , so hopefully something comes along. As long as I have a pitch and some players, I’m happy. The surroundings are secondary. I would go anywhere – I have gone anywhere – to do this job.
I’ll never get fed up with football. The training, the long hours, the cold nights, I love it all. I get fed up with some of the nonsense – match-fixing, betting scandals, things like that. But the game? I love it.
Daily Mail