October 24, 2025 | 03:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian national footballer Beckham Putra Nugraha says he is unfazed by who will replace Patrick Kluivert as head coach of the Garuda squad, following the Dutchman’s dismissal after failing to lead Indonesia to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beckham emphasized that what matters most is finding a coach capable of improving the team’s overall performance.
“The most important thing is to have the best coach who can make the national team better,” the Persib Bandung forward said in Bandung on Thursday night, October 24, 2025.
The 23-year-old said that the appointment of the national team coach is fully under the authority of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). As players, he added, their focus should be on maintaining performance and consistency to continue earning national team call-ups.
“Whoever the coach is, we have to be ready and keep proving ourselves in every match, whether in the league or in the Asian Champions League II,” said Beckham, who has made four senior appearances for the Garuda squad.
Calls for Long-Term Commitment
Beckham also urged PSSI to appoint a coach on a long-term basis rather than short stints of one or two years, saying that sustainable progress in Indonesian football requires time.
“I think it’s better to have a long-term plan because we need a process, not instant results,” he said.
Open to Criticism
Unlike some of his teammates, Beckham has kept the comment section open on his Instagram account despite criticism following Indonesia’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The Garuda squad was eliminated after a 0–1 loss to Iraq, following a 2–3 defeat against Saudi Arabia in the fourth qualifying round.
“That’s normal. Some people like us, some don’t. It’s part of football,” he said. “We can’t control what people say, but what matters is that we always give our best in every match. Sometimes we play well, sometimes not so well.”
Beckham added that fans have the right to express their opinions, and players must respond to criticism with maturity. “The most important thing is how we handle it,” he said.
Beckham, who has become a key player for Persib Bandung under coach Bojan Hodak, recently helped Maung Bandung secure a 2–0 victory over Selangor FC at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) Stadium, taking them to the top of Group G in the AFC Champions League II.
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