John Herdman has emerged as the leading candidate to take charge of the Indonesian national team, with the highly regarded English coach now widely expected to succeed Patrick Kluivert following the Football Association of Indonesia’s (PSSI) latest round of deliberations.
The 50-year-old has impressed PSSI’s Executive Committee during a series of interviews in England attended by Muhammad and Endri Erawan, technical director Alexander Zwiers, and technical advisor Jordi Cruyff. From an initial pool of five candidates, the shortlist has now been reduced to two, with Herdman joined by former Netherlands international Giovanni van Bronckhorst. While van Bronckhorst’s pedigree as both a player and coach makes him a strong contender, Herdman is understood to be the federation’s preferred option, largely due to the close alignment between his profile and Indonesia’s long-term football ambitions.
Reports from Honduran outlet Diario Diez suggest Herdman has turned down several opportunities elsewhere to prioritize the Indonesian project. He is said to have declined offers from both Honduras and Jamaica, despite the latter exploring him as a potential appointment for the intercontinental playoffs ahead of the 2026 World Cup following Steve McClaren’s resignation. Herdman’s decision to step away from a return to the CONCACAF region has been interpreted as a strong signal of his commitment to Indonesia.
According to Diario Diez, PSSI is keen to appoint a coach with proven experience in World Cup qualification campaigns, a requirement that fits squarely with Herdman’s résumé. His disciplined, high-intensity and vertical playing philosophy was widely credited with transforming Canada into a competitive force on the global stage, a blueprint Indonesia hopes to replicate as it looks to raise its level within Asian football.
Born on July 19, 1975, in Consett, County Durham, Herdman began his coaching journey while still a student and part-time lecturer at Northumbria University, working with youth teams at Sunderland’s academy. His career took an international turn in 2001 when he moved to New Zealand, later guiding the women’s national team to qualification for the 2007 and 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cups as well as the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Those achievements earned him a move to Canada, where he oversaw the women’s national team from 2011 to 2018, winning Olympic bronze medals in London 2012 and Rio 2016, along with gold at the 2011 Pan American Games. In a rare transition, Herdman then took charge of Canada’s men’s national team, leading them to their first World Cup appearance since 1986 at Qatar 2022 and becoming the first coach in history to guide both a country’s men’s and women’s teams to the FIFA World Cup.
Under his leadership, Canada’s FIFA ranking surged dramatically—from outside the top 90 to comfortably within the world’s top 30—while he became known for fostering a strong “brotherhood” culture within the squad. His work extended beyond international football, contributing to tactical development at Toronto FC during the 2023–2024 season, further underlining his versatility and modern coaching outlook.
Herdman’s achievements have earned him widespread recognition, including the Jack Donohue Coach of the Year award in 2017. More significantly, he is respected for leaving lasting structural and cultural legacies wherever he has worked. “It has been my mantra, both in New Zealand and Canada, to create something better for those who come after me,” he once said, reflecting a philosophy that resonates strongly with Indonesia’s current rebuilding vision.
PSSI has confirmed that the new national team head coach will be announced after the conclusion of the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand on December 20. If appointed, Herdman would bring rare cross-continental experience, a proven track record in World Cup qualification, and a clear developmental mindset—qualities Indonesia hopes will usher in a transformative chapter for the national team on both the regional and continental stage.