John Herdman Set to Arrive in Indonesia Next Week as New National Team Head Coach

PRABUMULIHPOS.CO – Chairman of the National Team Committee (BTN), Sumardji, has confirmed that newly appointed Indonesia national team head coach John Herdman is scheduled to arrive in the country next week.

The arrival of the English-born tactician marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Garuda squad, as Indonesia places its future in the hands of a coach with extensive experience on the global stage.

Sumardji delivered the confirmation shortly after the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) officially announced Herdman’s appointment on Saturday, January 3, 2026, putting an end to weeks of public speculation.

“He will arrive on the 11th,” Sumardji briefly told reporters.

Upon landing in Indonesia, Herdman is expected to immediately sign a two-year contract, with an option for a further two-year extension. The clause opens the possibility for Herdman to lead Indonesia’s national team program through 2030.

PSSI has made no secret of its long-term ambitions behind the appointment of the 49-year-old coach. Herdman has been entrusted with a strategic mission to strengthen Indonesia’s competitiveness at the 2027 AFC Asian Cup while laying the groundwork for a serious challenge in the 2030 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

However, Sumardji emphasized that the federation is deliberately avoiding placing short-term pressure on the new coach. According to him, Herdman must first be given time to work and fully understand the unique landscape of Indonesian football.

“We should not talk about targets yet. It’s unfair to set expectations before he even starts working,” Sumardji stressed. “What matters is that our ultimate goal is clear: qualifying for the 2030 World Cup.”

A Historic Coach with a Global Track Record

John Herdman is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive figures in international coaching. He remains the only coach in the world to have led both a country’s men’s and women’s teams to the FIFA World Cup.

Herdman began his coaching journey in New Zealand, taking charge of the women’s national team between 2006 and 2011. During that period, he guided the team to appearances at the 2007 and 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cups, as well as qualification for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

His success earned him a move to Canada in 2011, where he rebuilt the women’s national team and delivered historic achievements, including two Olympic bronze medals at London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016.

In a bold move in 2018, Herdman transitioned to coach the Canada men’s national team. The decision paid off handsomely, as Canada qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ending a 36-year absence, and emerged as a rising force in the CONCACAF region.

After stepping down from the Canadian national team in 2023, Herdman continued his career at club level with Toronto FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) until 2024. He was later linked with several national teams, including Jamaica, before ultimately committing to Indonesia.

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