Southeast Asian football fans are stirred by the new head coach of Indonesia’s national team, unexpectedly mentioning Kim Sang-sik

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) officially appointing John Herdman, a coach with multiple World Cup appearances, quickly sparked a strong reaction among Southeast Asian football supporters.

According to the announcement on the official website, PSSI confirmed John Herdman as the head coach of Indonesia’s national team starting January 3, 2026, marking a “new era” for football in the archipelago. The English strategist is a unique figure, having led both the men’s and women’s Canadian national teams to the World Cup, a rare achievement in football history.

Immediately after the news was released, the ASEAN FOOTBALL fanpage saw Southeast Asian fans erupt with excitement. An Indonesian fan left an ambitious comment: “Not asking for too much, at least winning the FIFA Series 2026 and AFF Cup 2026.” 

Meanwhile, a Malaysian fan was brief but meaningful: “Champions” as a recognition of the caliber of the new signing Indonesia just acquired.

Notably, many fans compared Herdman to foreign coaches who have left their mark in the region. One notable comment said: “He will be the next Kluivert coach.”

Another fan even asserted: “The best foreign coaches in Southeast Asia”, accompanied by a list of prominent foreign coaches who have worked in the region such as Park Hang-seo (Vietnam), Kiatisuk Senamuang (Thailand), Shin Tae-yong (Indonesia), and Kim Sang-sik (Vietnam).

This excitement is well-founded. While leading the Canadian women’s team, John Herdman took them to the Women’s World Cups in 2007 and 2011, and won two consecutive Olympic bronze medals in 2012 and 2016. At the men’s level, he made a strong impact by helping Canada qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, ending a 36-year wait.

More importantly, under Herdman’s leadership, Canada’s FIFA ranking soared from 77th to 33rd in the world. The 50-year-old coach is also recognized as the only one in history to have led both the men’s and women’s teams of the same country through FIFA World Cup qualifiers, raising Indonesian fans’ hopes for a complete “transformation.”

In 2026, Indonesia’s national team under Herdman will face a packed schedule. The archipelago’s team will participate in the FIFA Series at Gelora Bung Karno stadium during the FIFA Matchday from March 23 to 31, 2026, followed by international training camps in June, September, October, and November. Notably, the AFF Cup 2026, expected to start on July 25, 2026, is seen as the stage for Herdman to immediately prove his worth against regional rivals.