TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In the world of football coaching, few names command as much respect as John Herdman. The English tactician has emerged as the frontrunner to become the next coach of the Indonesian national team, following a series of interviews with the Executive Committee of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI).
His main rival for the coveted position is Dutch football legend Giovanni van Bronckhorst, whose storied playing career and international experience make him a formidable contender.
Herdman underwent a special interview with PSSI executives, including Muhammad and Endri Erawan, Technical Director Alexander Zwiers, and technical advisor Jordi Cruyff.
Out of four candidates interviewed in England, Herdman and van Bronckhorst have been shortlisted, with Herdman seen as the coach whose profile most closely aligns with Indonesia’s long-term vision and ambitions to strengthen its national football program.
The 50-year-old Englishman reportedly turned down multiple offers from other national teams to focus on Indonesia. Notably, he declined the chance to lead Honduras and Jamaica, prioritizing a long-term project with the Indonesian squad.
According to Honduran outlet Diario Diez, “The Jamaican Football Federation considered him for the intercontinental playoff for the 2026 World Cup, but Herdman rejected the offer to focus on Indonesia.”
Early Life and Coaching Career
Born on July 19, 1975, in Consett, County Durham, England, Herdman grew up alongside his childhood sweetheart and now wife, Clare, who has consistently supported him through his international coaching journey.
The couple has two children: son Jay Joshua, who plays in the Canadian Premier League and has represented New Zealand’s junior national team, and daughter Lilly-May.
Herdman’s coaching career began while he was still a student and part-time lecturer at Northumbria University, where he coached youth teams at Sunderland’s junior academy.
In 2001, he moved to New Zealand, taking charge of the national women’s team from 2006 to 2011. Under his guidance, New Zealand qualified for the 2007 and 2011 Women’s World Cups and the 2008 Beijing Olympics, establishing Herdman as a coach capable of nurturing talent on the international stage.
Herdman’s success in New Zealand paved the way for his role with the Canadian women’s national team (2011–2018). There, he led Canada to Olympic bronze medals in London 2012 and Rio 2016, and gold at the 2011 Pan American Games. In 2018, he transitioned to the Canadian men’s national team, guiding them to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar—the country’s first appearance in the tournament since 1986.
Herdman became the first coach in history to take both a country’s men’s and women’s teams to the FIFA World Cup.
Beyond national teams, Herdman contributed to tactical development at Toronto FC during the 2023-2024 season. He is widely respected for not only his strategic acumen but also his ability to build team culture and elevate underdog teams to new heights.
Achievements and Legacy
Herdman’s accolades include the Jack Donohue Coach of the Year award in 2017. His leadership dramatically improved Canada’s FIFA ranking, climbing from 72nd to 33rd between 2011 and 2022. His influence extends beyond results, as he is known for mentoring young coaches and leaving a lasting impact on football infrastructures.
“It has been my mantra, both in New Zealand and Canada, to create something better for those who come after me,” Herdman told Canadian Immigrant.
As Indonesia prepares to welcome him, Herdman’s appointment is hoped to mark a transformative era for the national team, blending tactical expertise with a proven ability to nurture football talent, instill winning mentality, and guide the team toward long-term success on the regional and global stage.
Read: John Herdman Named Leading Candidate for Indonesia National Team Coach
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