After a disappointing 8th-place finish in the 2024/25 Liga 1 Indonesia season and the departure of longtime head coach Stefano Cugurra “Teco,” Bali United appear poised for a bold reinvention. The Serdadu Tridatu are reportedly considering the formation of a “superteam” to reignite their domestic dominance and elevate their status regionally in the upcoming 2025/26 season.
The superteam concept is far from novel in Southeast Asian football. Regional giants like Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia), Buriram United (Thailand), and the Lion City Sailors (Singapore) have each built formidable squads by attracting top-tier local and international talent, steamrolling their domestic competitions in the process. Now, Bali United seem ready to follow that blueprint.
Having already invested heavily in infrastructure—including their state-of-the-art training center—the club’s management has made it clear that the time has come to shift focus toward the pitch. Their ambition to become Indonesia’s answer to JDT or Buriram was made evident with the high-profile appointment of their new head coach.
Replacing Teco is Dutch tactician Johnny Jansen, fresh off leading PEC Zwolle to a 10th-place finish in the 2024/25 Eredivisie. The 50-year-old brings not only European experience but also a support team of seasoned professionals, including assistant Ronnie Pander and former Almere City coach Jeffrey Talan. Their presence signals Bali United’s intent to introduce a more structured, tactical, and possibly possession-oriented style of play.
Jansen’s Eredivisie connections quickly sparked a flurry of transfer rumors. Among the names linked to Bali United is Jens Toornstra, a 2016/17 Eredivisie champion with Feyenoord who recently helped FC Utrecht secure a UEFA Europa League spot. Midfielder Thom Haye and winger Rafael Struick, both free agents following stints with Almere City and Brisbane Roar respectively, have also been mentioned as potential targets.
Regionally, Bali United are rumored to be eyeing JDT captain Jordi Amat, whose Indonesian national team experience would be invaluable. Additionally, Joao Ferrari—one of the standout performers for a struggling PSIS Semarang last season—has emerged as a target to bolster the backline.
Preparing for this potential influx of star power, Bali United undertook a significant squad overhaul. Departures include goalkeeper Adilson Maringa and defender Elias Dolah, both of whom have been linked with Thai League 1 clubs. The club also parted ways with Mitsuru Maruoka, Everton Nascimento, Jean Befolo Mbarga, Sidik Saimima, Luthfi Kamal, Taufik Hidayat, and young goalkeeper I Komang Aryantara.
If all goes according to plan, Bali United’s 2025/26 season could mark the dawn of a new era—not just for the club, but for Indonesian football as a whole. With European expertise on the sidelines and marquee names potentially on the roster, the Serdadu Tridatu are positioning themselves as a regional powerhouse. But as always in football, ambition must be matched by execution—both on and off the pitch.