The newly appointed head coach of Indonesia's national team, John Herdman, shared candidly about the country's football ambitions during his introduction.
On January 13th, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) held an event to introduce the new head coach of the Indonesian national team, Mr. John Herdman.
At the ceremony, PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir emphasized the importance of unity and respecting the team-building process under the new coach. "I hope to receive full support from the players, management, and national football fans who will respect the process of forming the national team to make it more competitive,"he stated.
According to PSSI’s Chairman, John Herdman’s vision and experience can only be fully realized with comprehensive cooperation and support from all parties involved. He also expressed gratitude for the positive feedback from the media, PSSI officials, and fans since Herdman was mentioned as a candidate for the national team head coach position.
"This is the moment for PSSI and Indonesian football to enter a new era led by a coach like John Herdman,"he stressed.
For his part, Coach John Herdman affirmed that the pressure of leading the national team is a privilege. "Leading the national team means carrying the hopes of an entire nation. That pressure can be a curse or a blessing. We choose to turn it into a blessing,"Herdman shared.
The Canadian coach also highlighted that major achievements require patience and a sustainable development process. "Qualifying for the World Cup cannot happen overnight. Canada took decades to reach that milestone. Indonesia has made a significant, crucial step, and now our task is to take another step forward," he said.
Besides the head coach, PSSI also announced fitness coach Cesar Meylan, who will assist Herdman by focusing on developing players' fitness, strength, and endurance.