JAKARTA - New Indonesia National Team coach John Herdman revealed the reason for choosing the Garuda Squad rather than accepting the offer of two other countries, Jamaica and Honduras.
He said this at a press conference to introduce him officially at the Mulia Hotel, Jakarta, Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
He said his interest in choosing the Indonesian National Team was because he felt it was the right place. The Red and White Team, according to Herdman, has a clear vision, quality players, and has a very fanatic football lover base.
"I've worked at Concacaf, I've got experience there. However, I believe in a country that has a population of 280 million people, 90 percent of whom love football. They love football so much. This is the right place," said Herdman.
Herdman was contracted with a two-year scheme plus a two-year extension option. In Indonesia, he will also lead the Indonesian U-23 National Team.
When asked further, the British man said the importance of the synergy of the national team of age groups, starting from U-17 to senior.
According to him, this synergy is the most important thing so that young players are quick and ready when they get a call to the Indonesian senior team.
"So, working with the coaching team of U-20, U-23, will be an important thing when we have consistency in the elements of philosophy. As I said earlier, the cultural and tactical framework."
"When there is a difference, where each coach has his own philosophy, there must be equality to ensure the players are ready."
"When there is a call, they are ready to play. I think the difference in the system, the difference in culture, they have to be ready. The point is, the international window is very dense," said the coach who led Canada to the 2022 World Cup after a 36-year absence.
At the press conference, PSSI also introduced Cesar Meylan as a physical assistant coach. Meylan's presence makes Herdman will continue to work with the Doctor (PhD) in the field of strength & conditioning after the two of them have been together in one team for more than a decade, starting in the New Zealand Women's National Team, the Canadian Women's National Team, the Canadian Men's National Team, to Toronto FC.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
