Indonesia appoints coach John Herdman, a three-time World Cup participant.
English coach John Herdman has officially taken charge of the Indonesian national team. With his experience leading Canada back to the World Cup after 36 years, he is expected to create a historic turning point.
PSSI officially appoints coach John Herdman.
The Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) has officially appointed John Herdman as the new head coach of the national team. This decision was approved at the PSSI Executive Committee (Exco) meeting on the evening of December 18, 2025, and is expected to be publicly announced after the 2025 SEA Games conclude.
According to sources in Jakarta, the English strategist may take on the role of managing both the Indonesian national team and the U23 team. However, specific details regarding the contract and scope of work will be confirmed in the near future.
An impressive resume and high expectations.
The appointment of Herdman, 50, is seen as a strategic move for Indonesian football. He is one of the few coaches in the world to have led different national teams to qualify for the World Cup finals three times, a remarkable achievement in his coaching career.
John Herdman's career began to make a name for itself when he coached the New Zealand women's national team. He led the team to two consecutive Women's World Cup appearances in 2007 and 2011, after dominating the Oceania qualifying rounds.
He then moved on to coach the Canadian women's national team and continued to achieve success. Under his leadership, the Canadian women's team qualified for the 2012 London Olympics and reached the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup, held on home soil.
The pinnacle of Coach Herdman's career was when he took over the Canadian men's national team and helped them qualify for the 2022 World Cup, ending a 36-year drought. Although Canada were eliminated early in the group stage, this achievement affirmed the talent and vision of the English coach.
With his extensive experience and modern football philosophy, John Herdman's presence is expected to bring a new lease of life, helping Indonesian football move closer to its goal of reaching continental prominence and realizing its dream of participating in the World Cup.