While Kluivert Got Sacked, Zwieirs and Tahamata Are Still Kept! Here's Why PSSI Retains Them

PSSI's technical director, Alexander Zwieirs and head of talent scouting, Simon Tahamata, are confirmed not to be part of the coaching staff wave departing from PSSI. This certainty was conveyed directly by PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir.

“Alex is still here, (technical advisor) Jordi Cruyff remains with us, Uncle Simon (Tahamata) stays. Only the coaching strata for U20 and U23, as it was originally part of the plan, we mutually agreed (to part ways),” stated Erick during a press conference at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta.

Previously, national team coach Patrick Kluivert and his staff officially parted ways with PSSI after failing to qualify the Indonesian national team for the 2026 World Cup finals.

However, Kluivert and his team's decision drew mixed reactions from the national football community. Some fans regretted their choice not to return to Indonesia following the failure. But Erick emphasized this wasn't the federation's responsibility.

“Regarding individuals, their decision to return home or stay here falls outside the federation's or my own context. What's clear is our working relationship has concluded, we reviewed it together, and it ended positively,” Erick explained.

Furthermore, Erick stressed that the current challenge for age-group national team development is unifying coaching patterns between U23, U20, and U17 teams to ensure continuous player development.

On this occasion, Erick also signaled a promotion for U17 national team coach Nova Arianto to handle the U20 team.

However, Erick emphasized the current main focus remains on sustaining young national teams' participation in global competitions.

“The federation's real challenge isn't (World Cup qualification), but how we prepare U17 to qualify consistently. That's why U17 is restarting at Elite Pro Academy (EPA),” he concluded.