The Indonesian Football Federation uses an 'unusual' clause to recruit a new coach

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is showing firm resolve in its plan to advance the national squad, having formally reached multiple key agreements with the new head coach of Indonesia's national team.

These details were revealed by PSSI Executive Committee member Arya Sinulingga after an internal Exco meeting, quickly drawing significant attention from the Southeast Asian public.

According to Arya Sinulingga, PSSI has agreed on an ambitious goal for the new coach, which is to lead the Indonesian team to compete for a spot in the 2030 World Cup. This milestone is considered strategic, reflecting the aspiration to elevate Indonesian football in the long term, rather than focusing solely on short-term achievements as before.

The most notable point in this commitment lies in PSSI’s firm stance on personnel matters. All Executive Committee members have agreed not to dismiss the new coach: "At yesterday's PSSI Executive Committee meeting, we pledged that no matter what happens, we will firmly not replace the coach". This is seen as a major shift in Indonesia’s football management approach, which previously involved frequently changing coaches after just a few unsuccessful tournaments.

Arya Sinulingga emphasized that stability is a crucial factor if Indonesia wants to progress further. PSSI does not want to repeat past scenarios of disrupted strategies, where major goals were abandoned midway due to impatience and lack of internal consensus.

Contract-wise, Indonesia’s new coach will sign a 2+2 year model. After the first two years, PSSI has the option to extend the contract for another two years if professional criteria and development directions are met. This model has been used with previous coaches and is considered suitable to avoid financial pressure and excessive responsibility for future leadership terms.

Not only limited to the national team, the new coach will also take on additional responsibilities: "Moreover, this coach will have similar duties to Shin Tae-yong. Besides leading the Indonesian national team, he will also be in charge of the U23 team."- a PSSI representative shared with the media.

With a series of clear commitments, from the goal of the 2030 World Cup, personnel stability, to the long-term contract model, PSSI is sending a strong message about its ambition to transform Indonesian football. Although the path ahead holds many challenges, this is clearly a foundational step towards a sustainable and long-term development strategy.