John Herdman, the recently appointed head coach of the Indonesian national football team, publicly articulated his clear and ambitious objectives for the FIFA World Cup 2030 on January 13th.
Herdman, who was brought in by the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) to succeed Patrick Kluivert, emphasized a new era devoid of “excuses.” His primary goal is to guide Indonesia, a nation with significant footballing aspirations, towards securing qualification for the prestigious tournament.
During his inaugural press conference in Jakarta as the new tactician, the 50-year-old English coach shared his vision. “Bringing Indonesia up to the 2030 World Cup will undoubtedly be one of my most exciting projects,” Herdman stated, highlighting the considerable challenge and opportunity ahead.
In addition to leading the senior national team, Herdman is also tasked with overseeing the U23 squad and contributing to the development of Indonesia’s youth football academy system. He recognized Indonesia as a country overflowing with passionate football supporters, asserting that these dedicated fans deserve to see their national team compete on the global stage.
Herdman confidently declared, “I am committed to leveraging my knowledge and skills to help elevate the Indonesian football team to unprecedented heights. The time for action is now, and there are no longer any valid excuses.” This strong statement resonates with his past achievement of guiding Canada to their first World Cup appearance in 36 years during the 2022 tournament.
His predecessor, Patrick Kluivert, had resigned following unsuccessful qualification attempts in previous campaigns, leaving the Southeast Asian nation with a strong desire for their first World Cup berth since gaining independence. Indonesia’s sole World Cup participation historically occurred in 1938, when they competed as the Dutch East Indies.
Herdman, who receives an estimated monthly salary of $40,000 from the PSSI, takes charge in a country where an impressive 80 to 90 percent of its more than 280 million citizens are fervent and devoted followers of their national football team.
