Stephen tipped Manchester City to win the Premiership title

Coach boots Tweets on club policy, disciplinary matters; Success continues to follow Stephen

Call Stephen Constantine a transformer.

The soccer coach has transformed many struggling teams into winning units.

From coaching national teams to professional clubs, Stephen has delivered timely results that many coaches would envy. He is currently the boss of Nea Salamina F C, a Cypriot top division team.

Stephen fashioned a 17-game unbeaten run for Nea Salamina to top the table.Besides being a UEFA pro license holder, Stephen became the youngest FIFA instructor at 38.

He has also authored a book titled: “A Year in the Championship.” A first-of-its-kind, the book chronicles training sessions conducted by the coaching staff of Millwall Football Club.

Among his notable achievements was coaching Millwall F C in the Championship league. He took over the side at a time when it was in the doldrums. Stephen managed to stem the rot with seven back-to-back wins that galvanized the team.

Under Stephen’s coaching, team India registered wins against some soccer powerhouses in Asia. He injected discipline and killer instinct into the team.

Stephen guided the Indian U-23 side to victory in the 2002 LG Cup final against Vietnam's full national side, and also led India’s U-18 in lifting the Ian Rush Trophy in Wales.

His other achievements include successful stints with Nepal and Malawi national teams. Stephen piloted team Nepal to the finals of the SAF Games for the first time ever. In recognition of his efforts, he was awarded by the King of Nepal.

Stephen built a team that helped Malawi reach the final stages of the World Cup qualifiers where the side beat Egypt and DR Congo.

Stephen in an exclusive interview with this writer touched on various issues, including social media, Premiership league and his achievements, among other things.

Question: How has social media impacted soccer?

Answer: Social media has not only raised the profile of the game, but has also created an information machine that is thirsty for any and all news gossip and the like.

Q: Professional soccer clubs are increasingly engaging their fans on social media. How does this benefit a team?

A: I am not sure if it has helped teams or not. Having said that, I believe it has a brighter side to it because you can access information you want. However, when players and staff members start leaking confidential matters, then it becomes a problem.

Q: Some managers don’t encourage players to Tweet about club policies and other issues. Players in the Premiership sometimes land in hot water for Tweeting about club policies and disciplinary issues. What are your views?

A: Personally, I don’t allow my players to Tweet about club matters or disciplinary issues. I believe some things need to remain in the dressing room, especially in our line of work. In other words, players need to accept that not everything needs to be in the public domain.

Q: Dropped players often vent their anger on Twitter…don’t you feel this can backfire?

A: Of course it can. As I said, we don’t need to air our differences in public. Moreover, it makes the player look childish. Clubs and managers monitor social media, and this could affect a player if he or she indulges in any negative communications.

Stephen with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

Q: As a team manager, do you engage in social media?

A: I have a website wherein I offer regular updates about myself and the club’s activities in general terms. But I never indulge in anything relating to the club policy, discipline or team matters.

Q: Many English teams now ask their fans to pick the team line-up on Twitter. Do you believe such an exercise helps a team’s cause?

A: Some clubs are making money out of this exercise. That’s fine. Everyone has their own view but the manager deals with the players on a day-to-day basis. He also deals with the daily personal problems as well. So when fans think so and so should play…are they aware of all the things that transpired that week? 

It’s not just about a player’s ability and playing. Things that need to be considered include: Did the player train right? Was he attending the training sessions at all? Consequently, there are many things that need to be considered before a team takes the field.

Q: The dynamics in the Premiership league are shifting with teams like Manchester City and Tottenham putting up impressive performances. Whom do you attribute their success?

A: In City’s case, it`s money power. They have spent, as we all know, millions to improve the team.  It`s down to the manager to gel those players and get them playing the way he wants, and so far this season they have done that.

Manager Roberto Mancini is doing a great job. It`s not easy to get those top players to play for the team, but he has done that and deserves a lot of credit. In the Premiership, a team must have the depth if it wants to go the distance.

On the other hand, Tottenham have also done really well. Manager Harry Redknapp over the last few years has done a great job. He is slowly, but surely building up the club and putting them in a position where they can beat any side on their day. Spurs qualified for Champions League football for the first time ever, and this underscores the club`s ability.

Q: We are seeing a sudden interest among Arabs in professional soccer clubs and they are investing heavily in them. For example, Manchester City is owned by Abu Dhabi royals. Spanish La Liga outfit, Malaga, was taken over by a Qatari businessman while another Spanish side, Getafe, was purchased by Dubai’s Royal Emirates Group. In addition, Qatar Foundation has a majority stake in Paris St Germaine besides being sponsor of FC Barcelona. Why has soccer become so attractive to Arabs? Do you foresee more Arab investors jumping on the bandwagon?

A: To be honest, I don’t think its sudden interest. Having coached Sudan, I can tell you they are as interested in their football as anywhere else. The fact that Arab countries are looking to buy clubs in Europe indicates that they want to be successful. Owning a club in Europe can also help the local country in terms of building relationships, sharing of knowledge and of course be a huge incentive to the local players. With the World Cup due to be held in Qatar, it’s going to a huge shot in the arm for soccer in the region.

Stephen with FA Cup

Q: Certain African players playing in the Premiership accused their managers of victimizing them, and not releasing them in a timely manner to play for their countries. Your comments.

A: As someone who has been on both sides of the fence, I understand the reason why this can cause a problem. Firstly, the clubs need the players. Secondly, there is a risk of the players getting injured, and then the length of time they are going to be away for. Are they training the right way? And what are they doing?

Most African players end up in Europe as a result of having played for their respective national teams.

Managers who rope in African players for their clubs are aware that they will be called up for a national team game, so I am not sure why they complain when they get selected. The best solution is for CAF to get in line with the rest of the world. Like all the other federations, hold the African Nations Cup in summer.

Q: Who you see as the favorite to win the Premiership title and why?

A: Man City of course. They have quality players and more depth than the other teams. Not only that, whoever comes off the bench is not reducing the quality in any way. For instance, Carlos Tevez has not been missed at all, but at any other club he would have been a big loss.

Q: FC Barcelona is going great guns. The way they demolished Santos recently underscores their supremacy. Their brand of soccer is exciting and unique. They control the pace by keeping the ball in their own territory before launching an attack. Wish this style of play was adopted by others. What are your thoughts?

A:It`s one thing to want to play like them. It’s quite another to have the players they have. You need to have the players to fit your style. You can’t copy teams if you don’t have the players to match that style of play. You must find a style that suits you and your club, and then bring in players that can fit into what you want to do.

Q: You have been instrumental in lifting your current team from the bottom to the top. How did this happen?

A: I have had a lot of help in getting the team where I wanted it to be, and we are not finished---you never finish. It’s about the staff, players and the selections we made during the summer. 

There was a great deal of effort exerted by everyone associated with the club to achieve what we have achieved in the last two years.  So basically it all boils down to hard work and people working together.

 Q: Which was your most challenging coaching assignment and why?

A: Every job I have had has a different challenge, there are always going to be highs and lows, and fortunately for me the highs have been many.  

For more information on Stephen, visit: http://www.stephenconstantine.co.uk/

Model Jesse loves working with designers Wendell Rodricks, Gavin Miguel and Rohit Verma.

Pilot Jesse aborts takeoff to pursue modeling career

Pilot Jesse Randhawa’s career was set for a takeoff.

But the commercial pilot found herself in a bit of turbulence. She began to realize that piloting was not something she wanted to do.

Jesse then decided to ground herself, and follow her true passion: modeling. Proving to be as talented as she is pretty, Jesse sizzled on the ramp, and started featuring on  covers of fashion magazines.

And if that wasn’t enough, she began getting roles in films, and since then her career graph has seen consistent rise. Jesse has acted in many Bollywood films but is well-known for her roles in “No Smoking,” and “Gulaal “ in which she plays a lecturer.

Jesse is also a trained kick boxer and ballroom dancer. As a dancer, she cast her magical spell on the audience at the World Economic Forum.

The media shy-actress rarely offers interviews, and calls herself a “private person.” Jesse was among the finalists in the Miss India contest alongside Miss Universe Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen.

From Wendell Rodricks to Gavin Miguel to Rohit Verma, Jesse has teamed up with the industry’s top designers.

Success has not changed the tall and graceful star as she has her feet firmly planted on the terra firma.

In an exclusive interview with this writer, Jesse talks about her career path, Indian fashion industry and ballroom dancing, among other things.

Question: What prompted you to switch career from a pilot to model? Was it a difficult transition?

A: Yeah it was difficult because I had spent a lot of time and money to get my pilot’s license. But at the same time, I was passionate about modeling. Having said that, I was ready to get back to flying if modeling didn’t click for me.

Q:Do you have any regrets when you look back on your airline career?

A: I have no regrets that I sacrificed my pilot career for modeling. I am very happy with the way things are going for me both as a model and an actress.

Q:Can you tell us something about your kick boxing career? Did you receive any formal training in that?

A: During my school and college days, I practiced Taekwondo regularly but lost touch as modeling took off. However, later I took to kick boxing to stay fit and healthy. I attained senior belt level.

Q: Which profession you enjoy the most?

A: I like to balance them all---be it modeling, acting or dancing. I enjoy each of them, and do it to the best of my abilities.

Q: How did ballroom dancing happen?

A: Ballroom dancing happened when I met the king of dance---Sandip Soparrkar. His posture, body language and attitude inspired me to take up dancing. In a nutshell, Sandip’s vivacious persona drew me into dancing. We later got into a relationship, and we are now happily married.

Q: Can you talk about some of your ongoing projects as a model/actress?

A: I am currently associated with many shows, including fashion and Television. I am also doing a few films, but not in a position to divulge the details due to the non-disclosure agreement. These projects are keeping me pre-occupied.

Q: Of late we are seeing a lot of foreign models entering into the Indian industry...do you believe they use the fashion industry as a gateway to Bollywood?

A: To be honest, some of them enter Bollywood with that in mind. However, for many it’s pure passion. It would be unfair to paint everyone with the same brush.

Q: A lot of foreign brands have come into India, thereby creating a stiff competition. Many local brands are now struggling...what’s your take on this?

A: Competition is always good. It improves creativity and the quality of products, and this is great from the consumer’s point of view.

Q: Name some of the fashion designers who you enjoy working with, and what sets them apart?

A: I love working with Wendell Rodricks, Sabyasachi, Gavin Miguel, Shahab Durazi, Rohit Bal and Narendra Kumar. They are all distinctive in their creativity and style. In short, they are the true trendsetters of fashion in India.

Q: What advice would you give to young aspiring models?

A: The things that work well for a model is...be yourself, never copy, feel comfortable and enjoy being you. Only then people will love you.

Q: How much importance do you attach to social media to promote your personal brand?

A: I am not into social media. I am neither on Facebook nor on Twitter. I am a very private person and like to keep myself that way. I am very happy with my family and my close friends knowing me.

Q: Are you content with what you have achieved so far as a model and actress?

A: I believe no artist has a sense of contentment. We all keep raising the bar and I am no different.