PSSI Directorate Of Technology Will Determine Gerald Vanenburg's Sustainability In Indonesia U-23

Gerald Vanenburg will be reviewed by the Director of Research and Technology of PSSI while in charge of the U-23 Indonesian National Team (VOI/Karisa Aurelia Tukan).

JAKARTA - Gerald Vanenburg's continuation as coach of the U-23 Indonesian national team will soon be determined. PSSI's Technical Director (Dirtek), Alexander Zwiers, will soon conduct a work evaluation as a final decision.

Vanenburg's situation in the Garuda Muda coaching chair is indeed on the brink. The reason is, he failed to present the 2025 AFF U-23 Cup title and failed to bring Indonesia U-23 to qualify for the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup.

Vanenburg's performance is increasingly being questioned because the closest Indonesian U-23 national team will compete in the 2025 SEA Games. Regarding the decision whether Vanenburg is still trusted to fill its position, PSSI has handed it over to the Director of Technology, which is now held by Alexander Zwiers.

"So, Dirtek will review (Vanenburg performance). Maybe 1-2 days there will be a meeting with the Director of Research and Technology also for (the coach's decision) at the 2025 SEA Games. Later we will review with the Director of Research and Technology first," said PSSI General Chair (Ketum) Erick Thohir, in a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

In the midst of questions about the continuation of Vanenburg's fate, the name Indra Sjafri emerged as a strong candidate who was promoted to replace the Dutch coach.

Indra Sjafri is not a new figure in the ranks of the Indonesian national team coach. The coach from West Sumatra was even recorded as having a classy track record with the national age group team.

However, Erick Thohir seems to have given another response regarding the Indra Sjafri chance to return to handling the U-23 Indonesian national team. He only emphasized that the decision regarding Vanenburg would first be carefully studied by the Director of Research and Technology.

"Alhamdulillah, now the training strata at PSSI is complete. So, it is impossible for us not to use what we have built. It must be built in stages."

"With the Director of Technology, this will be reviewed, the process is ongoing. The SEA Games are multi-event, we will sit together with the Government what the target is because that's what we have to do," said Erick Thohir.