After abruptly dismissing coach Shin Tae-yong and parting ways with coach Patrick Kluyver, Indonesia's next manager has been decided. John Herdman has been appointed as the new head coach to lead the Indonesia national football team.
The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) officially announced on the 3rd (Korean time) on its website, "We have appointed veteran Herdman, who boasts a career of World Cup qualifications, as the new head coach."
PSSI said it was pleased, "The appointment of coach Herdman is the first step in opening a new era for Indonesian football. He is not just a manager but an experienced veteran coach who boasts experience leading teams to the World Cup finals. We warmly welcome coach Herdman."
Herdman, who is from England, built most of his career in Canada. He led the Canadian women's national team to the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2011 Women's World Cup, and made history by winning consecutive bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
He also coached the Canadian men's national team. Herdman achieved a historic feat by taking Canada to the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar in 2022, the country's first appearance in 36 years. Under his leadership, Canada rose in the FIFA rankings from 77th to 33rd.
PSSI emphasized, "The main reason for appointing coach Herdman is his diverse career. He is the only coach in the world to have taken both a nation's men's and women's national teams to the FIFA World Cup finals."
Herdman is expected to make his Indonesia managerial debut during the upcoming March A match window. According to local Indonesian media such as "Okayzone Bola," the contract period is two years with a two-year extension option.
The goal presented to Herdman by PSSI is reportedly reaching the quarterfinals of the 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. Reaching the Asian Cup quarterfinals would be a record Indonesia has never achieved. Indonesia's best-ever result remains reaching the round of 16 at the 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar under coach Shin Tae-yong.
PSSI said, "The Indonesia team led by coach Herdman has a busy schedule in 2026. From March 23 to 31, during the FIFA match day period, the team will participate in the FIFA series held at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, and will also play matches during the FIFA match days in June, September, October and November. The team is also scheduled to participate in the 2026 AFF Suzuki Cup, which opens on July 25."
Indonesia found a new manager just two and a half months after dismissing coach Kluyver last October. At the time, Indonesia mutually terminated Kluyver's contract after failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup finals.
Indonesia missed its last chance to reach the finals after losing 0-1 to Iraq in the second round of group B of the AFC fourth round playoff for the CONCACAF World Cup, a loss that cost them the final stage. In the first leg against Saudi Arabia, they conceded in added time of the second half and suffered a 2-3 comeback defeat, which stung. In the end, coach Kluyver left the team with a meager record of 8 matches: 3 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses.
Afterward, many in Indonesia expressed opinions favoring the return of coach Shin Tae-yong. From the start, when PSSI chairman Erick Thohir suddenly dismissed coach Shin Tae-yong and appointed coach Kluyver a year earlier, there had been loud opposition. PSSI explained the decision was made with an eye toward naturalized players from Europe centered on the Netherlands, but the plan ultimately failed.
Since coach Shin Tae-yong had left Ulsan HD, the possibility of an "Indonesia return" was raised, but he personally dismissed the rumors. Having replaced two managers within a year, PSSI focused on finding a different coach rather than reappointing coach Shin Tae-yong. And by quickly appointing coach Herdman, it prepared for a new era.
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), PSSI, CisiaGoal Asia social media.
[OSEN]