Thai media stirred as a World Cup-experienced coach arrives in Southeast Asia

The Indonesian Football Association's (PSSI) choice of a new coach is generating widespread interest throughout Southeast Asia, notably within Thai press circles.

According to Indonesia's Bola, PSSI has reached an agreement to appoint John Herdman as the head coach of Indonesia’s national team and U23 squad, following the departure of former star Patrick Kluivert.

On the morning of December 26, Thailand's Daily News described this as one of Indonesia football’s most ambitious moves in recent years. The Thai newspaper ran a major headline: “Indonesia appoints historic World Cup coach, earning over 1.3 million baht monthly.”

The article emphasizes that John Herdman is a well-known figure in world football. He is highly regarded by experts as the first coach in history to lead the same national team to the World Cup in both men’s and women’s tournaments. This detail was quoted verbatim by Thai media, calling it “a rare achievement accomplished by very few coaches worldwide.”

Between 2011 and 2018, Herdman coached Canada’s women’s team, winning two Olympic bronze medals in 2012 and 2016 and leading the team to the 2015 Women’s World Cup quarterfinals as hosts. Thai media noted: “Success in women’s football laid the foundation for Herdman to step into the highest level of men’s football”.

Moreover, what caught Thai media’s special attention is Herdman guiding Canada’s men’s team to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, marking the country’s first appearance in the tournament in 36 years. Thai media described this as “an accomplishment that would make any Southeast Asian football nation take notice.”

Thai media also reported that PSSI signed Herdman on a 2+2 year contract starting in 2026, with an option to extend until 2030. Notably, his salary was revealed to be $40,000 per month, about 1.25 million baht, a figure prompting Thai press to admit that Indonesia is “spending heavily to pursue continental ambitions.”

Accordingly, PSSI’s main goal for the World Cup-experienced coach is the 2027 Asian Cup, where Indonesia aims to reach the quarterfinals. Thai media regard this as “a challenging target, but fitting Herdman’s profile and experience.”

Indonesia’s appointment of a World Cup-experienced coach is seen by Thai media as a sign that the power struggle in Southeast Asian football is entering a new phase. While success or failure is yet to be judged, local media acknowledged: “Indonesia has sent a clear message that they are no longer satisfied with their former status”.