Former India football coach in line for Jamaica job

Kingston, July 17 (IANS/CMC)

Former English coach of the Indian soccer team Stephen Constantine (R) watches over a training session at the Yubabharati Krirangan Stadium in Calcutta, 06 September 2004.

Englishman and former India coach Stephen Constantine is the front runner to take over as head coach of Jamaica football team ahead of their all-important World Cup Qualifier against Panama in September.

The Jamaica Observer is reporting that Constantine, 50, is very interested in the job and is being seriously considered by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

He comes with a wealth of experience, having coached at various levels across the globe and was in the island recently as a FIFA coaching instructor.

Constantine has managed the national sides of Nepal, India, Malawi and Sudan, holds the UEFA pro licence, and is a member of FIFA’s elite coaches’ panel. He coached India between 2002 and 2005.

JFF president captain Horace Burrell has been tight-lipped about a successor to Theodore Whitmore, saying only that a head coach will be named in time to lead the Reggae Boyz into battle against Panama.

Jamaica has been without a head coach after Whitmore resigned following Jamaica’s 0-2 defeat to Honduras, which left them with a slim chance of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Jamaica are currently at the bottom of the CONCACAF six-team group on two points from six games and with four matches remaining, but still have an outside chance of finishing in the top four.