Kolkata: For the position of head coach of the India men's team, Stephen Constantine has submitted another application. The Anglo-Cypriot is one of about 170 applicants who answered the advertisement published by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on July 4 to find a substitute for Manolo Marquez. The deadline for applications was July 13.

Constantine, 62, the former Pakistan coach, has managed India twice before, once from 2002 to 2005 and once from 2015 until the Asian Cup in 2019. In the Indian Super League (ISL), he has also served as the East Bengal team's coach in 2022–23.

The 0-1 loss away to Myanmar on June 10 marked the conclusion of Constantine's final game against Pakistan, bringing to a close a tenure that started in September 2023 with just one victory, one draw, and eight defeats. Additionally, Marquez's final game prior to the mutual decision by the FC Goa coach and the AIFF to split ways was on June 10, when India lost 0-1 to Hong Kong on the road.

India's next mission will be the Asian Cup qualifying matches against Singapore on October 9 and 14, unless they miss the international window in September.

At least three managers in the 2024–25 ISL have applied, as has former Liverpool and Australia forward Harry Kewell, whose most recent coaching position was with Yokohama F Marinos in 2023–24, according to an AIFF official who asked to remain unnamed in order to preserve ties. They are: Andrey Chernyshov (Mohammedan Sporting), Sergio Lobera (Odisha FC), and Khalid Jamil (Jamshedpur FC). Also included on the list is Sanjoy Sen, who led Bengal to victory in the 2024–25 Santosh Trophy and Mohun Bagan to the I-League title in 2014–15.

Although Lobera has won the ISL double with Mumbai City and the Super Cup with FC Goa, she missed out on a top-six spot last season. Due to outstanding bills, Chernyshov departed in the middle of the season after leading Mohammedan Sporting to the I-League championship, which earned them a spot in the ISL.

Jamil, 48, led Jamshedpur FC to the semifinals in 2024–25, where they were defeated by two-time champion Mohun Bagan Super Giant by a score of 2–3 overall. Four seasons after leading the unknown Aizawl FC to the I-League championship, when it was India's top tournament, Jamil became the first Indian coach to reach the ISL semifinals in 2020–21.

Earlier, he had turned down the position of India under-23 coach in favor of remaining with Jamshedpur FC. "When the senior team's job offer became available, things changed. According to an official connected to the league, "It's doubtful that Khalid doesn't know any of the national team players well." The officer, who was not allowed to interact with the media, did not want to be identified.

Although Constantine's knowledge of India cannot be overlooked, Jamil may be in the lead because he would be less expensive than a foreign coach and because AIFF officials have been pushing for an Indian coach up to the Asian Cup qualifiers in March 2026.

According to the aforementioned AIFF official, Subrata Paul, the national team director, and Syed Sabir Pasha, the technical director of the AIFF, will shortlist the applicants and send the list to the technical committee.

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