JAKARTA - Chairman of the National Team Body (BTN) Sumardji revealed that what the Indonesian national team coach John Herdman has shown so far is in line with expectations.
"As we hope, everything. The Chairman has always told me that all of this can run according to our expectations at the beginning, we chose John. And after joining, I communicate and meet with Coach John quite often. Friends at PSSI see, John's figure is right to handle our national team," said Sumardji when met by the media during a team training session at the Madya Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Sunday.
The match was held one day before the last match of the 2026 FIFA Series against Bulgaria at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Monday (30/3) evening.
Furthermore, Sumardji said that Herdman has been able to "take the heart" of the players, both local and diaspora.
Not only that, added Sumardji, personal relationships were also established between Herdman and his coaching staff. "In the team, he always puts forward how the players are chemistry between him, between Coach John, the assistants, and the players, it is really well established," said Sumardji.
Since being appointed as the new coach of Indonesia two months ago, Herdman revealed that he had been communicating with the players.
However, the English coach only met in person with all the Garuda players for about a week at the 2026 FIFA Series.
Sumardjimengatakan, meski waktu bertemu di FIFA Series tak lama, hal ini benar-benar dimanfaatkan Herdman untuk membangunchemistrydalam timnas Indonesia.
"Well, Coach John really used that momentum to build that chemistry as best he could," he said.
Herdman was contracted for two years with an option to extend for two years. This contract was given to Herdman with the big target of qualifying Indonesia for the 2030 World Cup.
"This is a long-term project, the long-term is 2030. So, let's both support, we are committed to supporting the spirit that is more to Coach John so that Coach John can bring the Indonesian National Team in accordance with the stages that we have given to him, 2026, 2027, 2028, and so on," said Sumardjid with firmness.
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