Exco Meeting Result: John Herdman One Step Away from Coaching Indonesian National Team

A crucial decision has finally been made within Indonesian national football. The result of the PSSI Executive Committee meeting agreed upon John Herdman as the New Coach of the Indonesian National Team. 

This appointment marks a new chapter in the national team's medium to long-term project, especially in anticipation of an increasingly packed international schedule in 2026.

The decision resulted from a fairly long and confidential selection process. Previously, PSSI had confirmed that there were two main candidates discussed in the Exco meeting. These two names were shortlisted from five coaches personally met by PSSI representatives during their visit to England some time ago.

However, the federation did not openly announce the identities of these two candidates. Yet, among the public and national football observers, the names John Herdman and Giovanni van Bronckhorst were widely mentioned as the two figures on PSSI's primary radar.

Exco Meeting Process and PSSI Internal Dynamics

Initially, PSSI planned to hold the Exco meeting after the conclusion of the 2025 SEA Games on Saturday, December 20, 2025. This consideration was partly due to the schedule of Chairman Erick Thohir, who concurrently serves as the Minister of Youth and Sports, directly accompanying Indonesian Athletes in Thailand.

However, that plan was adjusted. PSSI Vice Chairman, Zainudin Amali, revealed that the Exco meeting was actually held earlier, namely on December 17–18, 2025 in Jakarta.

In that forum, all Exco members thoroughly discussed the profile, track record, and coaching vision of the National Team Coach Candidates. 

Speaking to the media, Amali stated that the majority of PSSI Exco members approved John Herdman as the figure deemed most suitable for the current needs of the national team.

Nevertheless, Amali did not specify which Exco members directly supported the English coach. This aligns with PSSI's stance from the outset, which chose to maintain the confidentiality of the process out of respect for all involved parties.

For information, there are 12 individuals serving as PSSI Exco members. They are Eko Setiawan, Endri Erawan, Juni Rahman, Muhammad, Rudi Yulianto, Sumardji, Vivin Cahyani, Ahmad Riyadh, Arya Sinulingga, Hasnuryadi Sulaeman, Peter Tanuri, and Khairul Anwar. The PSSI leadership structure itself is led by Erick Thohir with two Vice Chairmen, namely Zainudin Amali and Ratu Tisha.

Meanwhile, the position of PSSI Secretary General is held by Yunus Nusi. In the context of deciding the National Team Coach, the Secretary General does not have voting rights in the selection.

Amali emphasized that from an organizational mechanism standpoint, the Exco meeting held fulfilled all formal requirements.

"The meeting met the quorum requirements and the Exco meeting was valid," said Amali on Friday, December 19, 2025.

Decision Status and Contract Negotiations

Although John Herdman has been agreed upon in the Exco meeting, PSSI emphasizes that this appointment process is not yet fully final. There are still contract negotiation stages that must be completed by both parties before an official announcement is made to the public.

Amali explained that PSSI chose from the start to be cautious and not rush to announce the coach's name to maintain professionalism and mutual respect. Especially since the Coach Candidate is reportedly also sought after by several other clubs and countries.

"It's not final yet, there are still processes to be negotiated and agreed upon by both parties."

"The Chairman will announce it later," concluded Amali.

This stance shows a more mature approach from the federation in managing the national team's strategic issues. PSSI is not only considering the technical aspects of coaching but also long-term stability and alignment of vision between the coach and the federation.

However, PSSI targets this process to be completed soon, namely in December or January. This target is not without reason. The Indonesian National Team is scheduled for an important agenda in the FIFA Series 2026 in March, which demands thorough early preparation.

Herdman's Challenges and the National Team's New Direction

If negotiations proceed smoothly, John Herdman will be officially introduced as the new Coach of the Indonesian National Team, replacing Patrick Kluivert. This appointment brings high expectations, considering Herdman is known as a coach with experience in building national teams from a strong foundation, both in terms of playing organization and competitive mentality.

Herdman's first challenge is to build a competitive squad framework in a relatively short time. He must map out players, unite various characters within the team, and instill a playing philosophy that suits the character of Indonesian Football.

On the other hand, PSSI's decision to appoint Herdman can also be seen as a signal of the federation's seriousness in building the national team sustainably. It's not just focused on instant results, but also on coaching systems and a clear playing identity.

The public now awaits PSSI's next steps, particularly the official announcement from Erick Thohir. If all processes go according to plan, the appointment of John Herdman will become one of the most important strategic decisions for Indonesian Football in recent years.