The Indonesian Football Association makes an unprecedented decision in its history

The Indonesian Football Association has sparked widespread debate by declaring that the national team head coach will not be dismissed throughout the duration of the initial contract, regardless of any results.

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is attracting regional public attention following a controversial statement regarding the position of the national team head coach. According to Indonesian media, the selection process for the new coach officially concluded at the end of 2025, accompanied by a special principle: the head coach will not be fired before the first contract expires.

This information was confirmed by Mr. Zainudin Amali, a member of PSSI’s leadership board, in an interview with Bola newspaper. He stated that the entire selection process was conducted professionally and democratically through meetings of the Executive Committee (Exco) and the National Team Board.

“The process has been completed, which is a positive sign, as all decisions were openly discussed. Chairman Erick Thohir did not intervene directly but allowed the professional departments to work independently,” Mr. Amali emphasized.

However, what has stirred Indonesian football is the accompanying commitment. In an interview with Liputan6 Sport, Mr. Amali revealed: “In a recent meeting, we agreed that no matter what happens, the new coach will not be replaced before the contract ends.”.

According to PSSI leadership, this approach aims to maintain long-term stability and avoid the recurring cycle of mid-term coach replacements that have haunted the Indonesian team for many years.

In this context, the most frequently mentioned candidate for the hot seat is John Herdman. The Chairman of the National Team Management Board (BTN), Mr. Sumardji, confirmed that the agreement with Herdman has been finalized and the official announcement is only awaiting the appropriate timing. “This week or next, we will announce John Herdman as the head coach of the Indonesian national team,” Sumardji shared with the press on January 2, 2026.

According to sources from Bola and Kompas, Herdman will start his role in 2026 with a monthly salary of about 40,000 USD, equivalent to over 1 billion VND. The contract lasts two years, with an option to extend for another 24 months, potentially up to 2030. Within Southeast Asian football, this is considered a very high salary, approaching the level of Asia’s strongest national teams.

The decision to “invest heavily” reflects PSSI’s clear ambition. After several experimental phases that failed to bring sustainable progress, the federation no longer prioritizes cost-saving or purely reputational solutions.

Instead, they seek a coach with management skills, international experience, and the ability to work under high-pressure conditions. Herdman’s success in leading Canada back to the 2022 World Cup is viewed as a key factor convincing PSSI.

Nevertheless, the commitment not to dismiss the coach during the first contract has generated mixed opinions. Some see this as a courageous step towards building a long-term foundation, while others worry that PSSI is tying its own hands under performance pressure.

With a high salary and significant autonomy, Herdman will be expected to meet not only short-term results but also to shape a comprehensive development strategy for Indonesian football in the coming years.