Malaysian expert warns Indonesia about the World Cup coach

John Herdman has officially taken charge of the Indonesian national team, but Malaysian experts caution that Indonesian football needs patience, acceptance of the reconstruction phase, and a fresh start from zero.

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has formally appointed John Herdman as the head coach of the national team, concluding the search for Patrick Kluivert’s successor. The English coach signed a two-year contract with an option to extend for another two years, carrying high hopes for a turning point in Indonesian football.

Unlike previous appointments, PSSI acted more cautiously this time by sending representatives to Europe for direct interviews, assessing capabilities, and developing a long-term plan for the Indonesian team.

Herdman is not an unfamiliar name in world football. He made a strong impression by leading Canada to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This achievement has raised great expectations among Indonesian fans for his ability to revive Indonesia in the coming period.

However, Malaysian football expert Raja Isa Raja Akram Syah quickly called for calm from the public. According to him, the appointment of John Herdman should be seen as a “restart” process rather than an instant miracle. “Indonesian football is now like starting from zero. All parties involved need to be patient and give the new coach time to build,” Raja Isa emphasized.

The expert believes that initial failures, if they occur, are completely normal for a new coach taking over the team. “No coach can win immediately. Football requires time, with wins and losses. Indonesian fans’ mindset also needs to change; they should not always demand immediate victories from the team,” he added.

Additionally, Raja Isa pointed out that PSSI must act as a bridge to help fans adapt to the transition period. Many Indonesian supporters still reminisce about the era of coach Shin Tae-yong, but in reality, even the Korean coach experienced a difficult start.

Most importantly, according to Raja Isa, PSSI must fully trust John Herdman and avoid any interference in technical matters. “PSSI should only set the roadmap and oversee overall progress. Let Herdman work independently. With his World Cup experience, he knows exactly what needs to be done with the Indonesian team,” the expert concluded.