The PSSI (Football Association of Indonesia) held a press conference on Thursday to announce the new coaches for several levels of the national team for 2019. PSSI Vice President, Joko Driyono, explained the appointments by referring to several evaluative points about the Tim Garuda’s performance in 2018.
“There were several points we looked for before announcing the new national team coaches. First, their level and target. Second was about the financial resources and the competition itself, which supports our development. Last was the individual’s record itself,” said Joko citiced the official press release.
Bima Sakti, who replaced the Spanish entrenador Luis Milla and managed the men’s senior national team during 2018 AFF Cup, was announced as the new U-16 boys’ national team coach in 2019. His position as the head of the men’s senior national team will filled by ex-Philippines’ coach, Simon McMenemy.
The Scotsman previously managed Liga 1 outfit Bhayangkara FC in 2017, and surprisingly won the league title in his debut season with the police’s club. This season, he achieved an impressive third place finish with the Jakarta outfit, and his experience in Indonesian football extends even further beyond his most recent managerial role.
McMenemy, who took The Azkals to the 2010 AFF Cup semi-final, where they lost twice against Indonesia, previously managed Mitra Kutai Kartanegara (2011 – 2012) and Pelita Bandung Raya (2013).
Indra Sjafri, who previously managed the U-19 men’s national team, has been promoted become the U-22 men’s national team coach in 2019. This team will prepare for 2019 AFF U-22 Championship in Cambodia this February, as well as the 2020 AFC Championship Qualifying in Vietnam and 2019 SEA Games in Manila in November.
Meanwhile, Rully Nere has maintained his position as the senior women’s national team coach as the Garuda Pertiwi prepare themselves for the second round of 2020 Summer Olympic’s qualifying in April, and 2019 AFF Women’s Championship in Thailand – the date of which will be announced later.
Rully also managed the senior team in 2015, and he will return to take his task to it’s highest level in November when the senior women’s national team prepare for the qualifying for the 2020 Summer Olympics. He replaces Satia Bagdja, who only managed the senior women’s team for the 2018 Asian Games.
Meanwhile, Bima Sakti’s job will be around preparing the U-16 boys’ national team for the 2019 AFF U-18 Championships in Vietnam, while he may also focus to prepping the U-15 team, which will compete in the 2019 U-15 AFF Championship in Thailand.