John Herdman Stresses Path to Senior National Team Not Naturalization

Indonesian National Team Coach John Herdman emphasized that the path to the senior national team is not built overnight. He stated that player call-ups to the highest level should stem from a tiered development process in youth national teams, not solely through naturalization.

In the new cycle of the Indonesian National Team, setting big targets for the 2027 Asian Cup and long-term projections towards the 2030 Asian Cup, Herdman believes consistent development pathways are the key to success.

The coaching staff, Herdman said, will continuously monitor player development across various levels, including during the Fifa Series agenda in March 2026. Additionally, special attention is directed to the U-23 national team competing in the 2026 Asian Games, and the U-20 national team currently managed by Nova Arianto.

From there, the foundation of the senior national team is built. Herdman stressed that the main strength of the Indonesian National Team should come from intergenerational Continuity, not dependence on instant solutions.

"Well, in my view, the U-20 and U-23 teams are the pathway to the senior team," said John Herdman.

For the English coach, alignment is a crucial aspect. He believes that a shared cultural framework and tactical approach across all national team levels will ease the transition of young players to the senior level.

"I think it's very important to have a strong alignment in the cultural framework and the tactical framework."

The playing philosophy Herdman wants to build in the senior national team is expected to be consistently applied down to the youth national teams. This way, every player moving up a level already understands the demands of the game, work standards, and the values held by the national team.

"So, I will make every effort to first, share my philosophy," said Herdman.

"Secondly, involve the people within that system with the national team, and ensure we feel like one family," he continued.

Herdman also emphasized that young players cannot simply be thrown into the senior national team without comprehensive readiness. Adaptation to the environment, training load, and even technical details are important factors in that process.

"They understand the standards, Sports science requirements, recovery protocols, rehydration processes, nutrition processes, our work intensity, and the level of technical detail in the language."

According to Herdman, the coaching staff has worked hard to create an environment where young players feel comfortable expressing themselves and their identity when representing the Red and White (Merah Putih).

"I think we've done a very good job in allowing our young players to immediately express themselves, their feelings, and their identity."

In closing, Herdman likened building the Indonesian National Team to a cooking process in the kitchen, where every element plays a vital role in creating the best outcome.

"We are like chefs in the kitchen. He adds some ingredients. I add my ingredients, but in the end, the Michelin star is what we all strive for," concluded Herdman.