Surprise! A new candidate emerges for Indonesian National Team Coach, no ordinary figure.

The name John Herdman is usually heard in North American football contexts rather than Southeast Asian ones. But in recent days, British media like Sky Sports reported that the former Canadian national team coach is on the candidate list for Indonesia's national team coach. 

This news immediately stirred up the local football scene, especially considering Herdman is no ordinary figure.

Herdman is known as a coach capable of transforming two different national teams across two distant eras. He led the Canadian women's national team to the 2015 World Cup while securing them two bronze medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics. When he took over the men's team, he reignited the spirit of a Canadian squad that had been adrift in CONCACAF competitions, ultimately qualifying for the 2022 Qatar World Cup – a phenomenal achievement since Canada last appeared in the World Cup in 1986.

Herdman's career then advanced to the club level when Toronto FC appointed him head coach in 2023. Though the MLS club didn't immediately return to the top, many reports indicated Herdman improved the team's playing structure and restored a locker room atmosphere that had previously been chaotic. 

However, this partnership didn't last long. In November 2024, Herdman resigned amid turmoil surrounding a drone scandal implicating the Canadian football federation. Media like Goal and ESPN reported the situation disrupted the Canadian national team's focus and also impacted his Toronto project.

As PSSI began searching for a new coach in Europe, Herdman's name surfaced among potential interviewees. 

BTN Chairman Sumardji confirmed that several Executive Committee members and Technical Director Alexander Zwiers had traveled to Europe to screen candidates. However, he didn't specify which countries were visited or which candidates were being considered. 

This secrecy has fueled speculation that PSSI is exploring internationally reputed names including Herdman.

In terms of track record, Herdman offers something rarely seen among coaches linked to the Indonesian national team: multifaceted experience. He has managed women's national teams, men's national teams, and an MLS club. 

He has operated under global tournament pressures like the World Cup and Olympics. He's accustomed to managing generational player transitions – particularly relevant for the Garuda squad currently blending youth players, naturalized athletes, and athletes at their career peak.

Yet behind all this lie significant pressures and challenges he'd face if landing in Indonesia. Herdman is famously meticulous and demands discipline – an approach that succeeded in Canada's modern football structure and strong athletic culture. 

The question is whether he can implement similar standards in Indonesia, a nation with far more complex football dynamics. Cultural adaptation, league structures, and local competition rhythms would present unique tests.

Additionally, Indonesia's football public is among the world's most vocal. The "must succeed immediately" expectation often falls on new coaches, whether in regional tournaments like the AFF Cup or major tournament qualifiers. 

In this context, Herdman could be either an ideal choice or a high-risk gamble unless fully backed by a stable federation and ecosystem.

Interestingly, Herdman hasn't ruled out returning to any national team after leaving Toronto FC. Reports suggest he still wants international-level work, feeling national teams offer greater scope for long-term projects. 

This logically leaves the door open for Indonesia, especially if PSSI genuinely views him as a long-term architect rather than a quick fix.

If Herdman indeed makes PSSI's final five candidates, Indonesian football fans might witness a new era – one where a World Cup-experienced coach navigates Southeast Asia's pressure-cooker football ecosystem: emotionally charged yet brimming with potential. 

The final decision rests on PSSI's selection process and whether Herdman's vision aligns with the national team's future direction.