What is it like to be an English coach overseas as the national team struggles? Englishman Stephen Constantine is the coach of India and faces the stigma that comes with his home country’s dwindling international reputation. He has strong views on the FA’s failings… For all the popularity of the Premier League across the globe, there is a sense that English football itself is outdated, old-fashioned, unsophisticated. The Premier League appeals because it is international, not because it is English. The homeland is no longer seen as a source of knowledge; the fountain head, it is felt has dried up.And yet a handful remain, heirs to a tradition that dates back a century or more, pioneers and mavericks and adventurers who have left home far behind to continue the spirit that first drove Fred Pentland and William Garbutt to set sail. Their work is in more exotic locations … Their impact is harder to measure. Their life, too, is harder. - Rory Smith, Mister Stephen Constantine is frustrated. England have suffered another embarrassing elimination from a major tournament and he knows what happens next. For those within the cosy confines of St Georges Park, its to be a period of introspection. For those abroad, at footballs coal face, the reputational consequences will be altogether more real. England launch three-point plan The Football Association has launched a three-point plan in a bid to find the next England manager. They find us extremely arrogant, Constantine tells Sky Sports. After spending the best part of 25 years abroad, he understands better than most what the perception is of the English coach. Not that hes expecting anyone at the FA to ask him. Our FA doesnt do anything to help coaches abroad, he adds. We dont even exist to them.Its not just a line. Constantine has experienced it first-hand. Hes in his second spell in charge of India and has also coached the national teams of Malawi, Sudan and Rwanda. But when he applied for the vacant England Under-21 managers position in 2013, he received short shrift from his home FA. I put my name forward and 36 hours later I got a reply saying they wouldnt be taking it any further, he explains. One of the criteria they had for the job was to have had international experience as a manager. Then they appointed Gareth Southgate who has had zero experience as an international manager. Gareth Southgate was named as Englands Under-21 manager in 2013 The feeling is that youre either in the loop or youre out. Its a recurring theme of Rory Smiths brilliant new book Mister, the tale of the men who taught the world how to beat the English at their own game. That compulsion to spread footballs gospel has always been oddly juxtaposed with the inward-looking approach of Englands administrators.Its not just the lament of a coach seeking greater recognition in his homeland. Its a practical problem for the country. When youre closed off to new ideas, they pass you by. English coaches are simply no longer part of the conversation. It seems footballs own version of Brexit happened long ago.When you go abroad, the good jobs are taken by the Dutch, the Germans, the French and the Spanish, says Constantine. Why? Because their FAs promote them. Ill give you an example. In Azerbaijan, youve got 10 league clubs and eight of the clubs technical directors are Germans. Its something that the German FA have helped institute. Paul Ince questions whether Englands footballers have their right attitude The English FA dont really put the resources into it. They dont try to get English coaches jobs abroad. Why would you do that? Well, because one day you might need something. Maybe some information or knowledge. When that day comes, the Spanish have someone there, the Italians and Germans have someone. We dont.There are so many things wrong with how we approach things. I really dont think we understand what they really think of us abroad. We generally seem to feel that whatever we are doing is the way its supposed to be and whatever everyone else is doing outside is not. I think thats held against us.Constantine is doing his bit. The 53-year-old has helped to establish the British Coaches Abroad Association to share ideas, information and opportunities. The reason I started that is because I know how hard it is to get a job outside and then to stay outside with the issues and problems you face, he explains. So I thought why not set something up. Constantine alongside Brazilian legend and then Japan coach Zico in 2004 Now, if somebody wants a job in India, people can say, Stephen Constantines there, what do you need? I had a call last week and somebody wanted to go to China. I know a couple of guys there so I arranged for him to see a couple of training sessions while hes there. It doesnt mean hell get a job but it alerts other Brits to the network thats out there.His own work in India is going well. The national team recently won their first World Cup qualifying games since 2004 and tasted victory in the South Asian Championship in January. Constantine has blooded 28 new players in 18 months and succeeded in bringing the average of the squad down from 32 to 24.Even so, the challenges are vast. There are states in India that are bigger than the UK and they just dont have the infrastructure, he admits. Im taking 12 to 14 flights a month around the country looking at players. I cant just confine myself to the first division and the Indian Super League. Celebrations for India during a World Cup qualifier against Guam Hes found national team players in under-19 sides and even in the army. Next month hell take them on a tour of the United States in the hope of placing players in professional clubs there. My job is supposed to be just as coach of the national team but its about building foundations, he says. Id say my job is that of a builder. Its what I do. I build teams.The trips back home are rare. This month hes been visiting his daughter in Brighton and we speak as he travels up to London to take in a show, the Phantom of the Opera at Her Majestys Theatre. So is he actively seeking the opportunity to return to the country where he last worked as Millwalls reserve-team coach a decade ago? Its a complex question.If theres nothing available for you in England, you kind of have to go outside, he admits. But if you were to ask these people, a lot of them would like to come back to England given the opportunity. The problem is that Constantine is acutely aware that he is likely to get only one crack at coaching in England. Henry on Wengers England link Thierry Henry believes Arsene Wenger is unlikely to want the England job. With that in mind, he recently turned down a League One job. The assistant had already been appointed, he wasnt allowed to bring in his own staff and there were only seven players. I felt Id be doing it with one hand tied behind my back, he says. To be honest, I think Im only going to get one opportunity in England. So if I take a job it has to be right.He adds: Its a huge issue if you havent played for an elite club in England. I realised that quite early on. My names not Ray Wilkins or whoever. I cant go into one job and it not work out then find myself in another job six months later. If I fail in England itll be, Right, you tried England and you werent up to it. See you later. Thats how I feel.Its a practical attitude, but it shouldnt be confused with that of someone expecting to fail. On the contrary, the more Constantine speaks, the more it becomes clear that his experiences have left him uniquely placed to succeed. Football holds few surprises when youve seen it from his perspective.Given the way that football is at the moment with the amount of different nationalities you have to deal with I feel far better equipped than the coaches whove never coached abroad, he says. I know what it takes to make foreign players feel comfortable. I had 13 nationalities in my squad in Cyprus.How do you deal with that Rwandan striker who cant necessarily speak English and isnt happy? How do you get into his head and get him to produce results? Look, if I can get people who dont speak English to work for me, imagine what I could do with English players. Perhaps thats the sort of imagination that the Football Association continue to lack.Stephen Constantine features in Mister: The Men Who Taught The World How To Beat England At Their Own Game, by Rory Smith Also See: Henry on Wengers England link England launch three-point plan NHL Jerseys 2020 . After deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league would consider pulling out of Sochi if something "significant" happens before players arrive, those set to participate are trying not to worry about that scenario. Authentic NHL Jerseys . The team reported the signing on its website Thursday, but said Friday the deal was off in "a mutual parting of the ways that had to do with the language of the contract. https://www.cheapnhljerseysjustwholesale.com/. The veteran fighter will be squaring off with Henderson in a five-round lightweight bout as part of another network televised card at the United Center on Saturday night. Cheap NHL Jerseys . "Im proud of him," Jones said in an interview from Sacramento, site of the UFCs weekend televised card. "I think hes listening to his body and hes doing what makes him happy and thats what life is about ultimately. Wholesale NHL Jerseys . Kuper, a fifth-round pick in Denvers 2006 draft, started 79 games at guard over eight seasons. He dislocated his left ankle in the last game of the 2011 regular season, and though he started another seven games after that, he never returned to his previous level.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Hi Kerry, Welcome back! Im sure you heard Peter Forsbergs comments last week regarding Canadian referees in the gold medal game. Seems to me that he was questioning the integrity and impartiality.Did you think there was anything peculiar about this decision? Thanks,Ed Hi Ed: I am thrilled that NHL hockey is back and we can all adjust our watches back to the North American time zone! Initially, I was surprised by the expletive-deleted comments Peter Forsberg made the day before the Gold Medal game and following the IIHFs selection of four North American NHL officials to work the Canada-Sweden game. Even though the officials nationality and residency slanted exclusively toward Canadian soil, the timing of Forsbergs comments (the day before the puck was dropped) caused me to pause and consider the Swedish general managers motives. Ive seen plenty of "gamesmanship" from general managers and coaches during Stanley Cup playoffs and finals, but Peter Forsbergs public comments rank up near the top of the list in attempting to gain an advantage and competitive edge. Peter was not only a world class player but I also know him to be a very intense competitor. That being said, Peter is not a stupid man and made a calculated move in hopes of gaining some advantage for his players against a highly skilled Canadian team. I believe Peters comments were designed to put the IIHF on notice in the event he felt the need to complain post-game but most importantly to plant a seed in the head of each game official hoping his team might receive the benefit of the doubt when one could be offered. It also became a story the day before the game designed to deflect some of the pressure away from Team Sweden players. I dont believe that Peter Forsberg would honestly question the integrity and impartiality of the NHL Officials that were assigned to work the game. Kelly Sutherland, Brad Meir, Derek Amell and Greg Devorski were selected on the merit of their work during the Olympics and weere regarded as the very best! They are professionals in the true sense of the word.dddddddddddd The players have more confidence in the NHL officials ability than their International counterparts. Swedish team captain Niklas Kronwall of the Detroit Red Wings believed that both teams would benefit from North American officials when he was quoted as saying, "We are used to having referees from USA and Canada in the NHL. We know their standards so I think its easier for us too if the referees are from there." And teammate Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators agreed. Prior to 1998, the IIHF would not assign an official to work a game in which his country of nationality was participating in. Only neutral officials were assigned. That changed in Nagano with the inclusion of NHL players and officials. The best officials were assigned to the games regardless of their country of nationality or residency. In response to Peter Forsbergs comments, IIHF officiating manager Konstantin Komisarov issued the following statement on the selection process; "The main factor of the selection of these officials has most of all to do with their experience officiating in high-level competitions. These include Stanley Cup playoffs, World Championship competitions and Olympic competitions. Their nationalities arent considered as factors nor should they be, we want the best officials working the medal games. We are fully confident that with their experience and professionalism these officials will do their job well and preserve the integrity of the game." Good for Konstantin Komissarov and the IIHF officiating committee for selecting the best officials to work the Gold Medal game. The officiating crew did an outstanding job and preserved the integrity of the game as Konstantin was confident they would. Last Sunday, the game was played on Olympic ice in Sochi and not in the media. Peter Forsbergs silver medal-winning Swedish team was beaten fair and square by Canada to take Gold. The officiating was a complete non-factor; regardless of county of nationality. NHL officials are clearly the best in the world. ' ' '