November 18, 2025 | 05:16 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chairperson of the National Team Body (BTN), Sumardji, said the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) is currently conducting an in-depth evaluation of five candidates for the national team’s head coach position. The selection process, he stressed, is still ongoing.
Sumardji confirmed he has held discussions with PSSI Technical Director Alexander Zwiers regarding the evaluation.
He emphasized that the recruitment will follow the federation’s established procedures, but declined to reveal the names of the shortlisted candidates.
“We are evaluating five individuals. I just spoke with Alex about this. The process is underway, and we will see how it progresses,” Sumardji told reporters at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on Monday, November 17, 2025.
He added that one of the five will eventually be appointed to replace Patrick Kluivert, who was dismissed in mid-October after failing to guide Indonesia to the 2026 World Cup. “One of the five will definitely be selected. Everything will follow the proper mechanism,” he said.
PSSI Chair Erick Thohir, who also serves as the Minister of Youth and Sports, has instructed BTN to carry out a full evaluation based on the established criteria. Sumardji expressed hope that the chosen coach will deliver positive results for the Garuda squad.
“The mechanism is already set, and I don’t need to explain it in detail. The Chairperson will review the results directly. Our task, along with Alex, is to finalize the assessment and follow up on the next steps,” he said.
When asked whether Indonesia will have a new coach by December, Sumardji avoided giving a firm answer. “Let’s wait for the process. Don’t draw conclusions too early,” he said.
He also refused to disclose the identities of the candidates. “No, I don’t want to go into that. Let’s wait for further developments,” he added.
Since Kluivert’s departure, several names have been linked to the national team job, including former Uzbekistan coach Timur Kapadze. Responding to speculation around Kapadze, PSSI Vice Chairman I, Zainudin Amali, said such discussions largely reflect supporters’ aspirations rather than official decisions.
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