East Bengal coach Stephen Constantine has got a contract extension for two more seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25).

East Bengal’s investor Emami has been impressed by Constantine’s style of working and despite the fact that the club is languishing in the ninth place in the ISL IX table, the brass thought of continuing with the 60-year-old Briton.

Constantine came on board in July last year and in one of the news conferences before the ISL IX he had said it would be a miracle if East Bengal made it to the playoffs.

He was spot-on in assessing his team as the red-and-gold brigade struggled throughout the season. In the 16 matches so far in the league, East Bengal have won just five and lost 11, including twice to their newly-discovered nemesis Odisha FC.

They also lost to arch-rivals ATK Mohun Bagan in the first leg. The return leg is slated for February 25.

And after the 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters at home on Friday, he said next season his team would target a top-six finish. “We look forward to the end of the season. We would make some changes. Then we will see next year. We will be targeting a top-six finish next year,” the former India national football team coach said.

Constantine’s contract extension also means that Emami will be staying with East Bengal for a longer period. East Bengal do not have good memories with investors as both Quess Corp and Shree Cement had a tumultuous relationship with the club officials. This time, however, it seems Emami and club officials are serious about running the football team in a professional manner.

“Emami wants to continue with the club. There is no reason to sever ties,” someone in the know of things told The Telegraph.

One of the reasons for East Bengal’s poor show was a late entry into the transfer market. By the time East Bengal began the team-building process, most of the Indian players were roped in by other ISL teams.

“That was expected. Next season we will build a strong team,” a source said.

Disciplinary action

East Bengal has a tricky issue to deal with and that is with Ankit Mukherjee. In the game against Kerala Blasters on Friday last, the defender threw his jersey in anger after being substituted by Mohammed Rakip in the 16th minute.

This was his second offence as he had vented his ire in an earlier match and was fined Rs 1 lakh.

Constantine, at the postmatch news conference on Friday, had grave doubts regarding Mukherjee’s future at the club. Most likely the errant player’s contract would be terminated.