"PSSI is currently assessing five candidates for head coach of the senior national team. So, please, give us time to advance the process," PSSI Secretary-General Yunus Nusi said at a press conference at GBK Arena in Jakarta on Thursday.
He made the statement in response to social media speculations suggesting that PSSI is holding discussions with several potential figures, including former Iraq head coach Jesus Casas and former Uzbekistan head coach Timur Kapadze.
Nusi stressed that the federation cannot yet disclose the identities of the five candidates but assured the public that it is working hard to make a prompt decision on the next head coach.
"Hopefully, we will soon be able to make a decision and reach an agreement. Once everything has been settled, we will certainly announce the name," he stated.
The post of Garuda Squad head coach has remained vacant since PSSI terminated its two-year contract with Dutch coach Patrick Kluivert following Indonesia's exit from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers last October.
Replacing South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong in January 2025, Kluivert recorded three wins, one draw, and four losses from six qualifiers and two friendlies, tallying 11 goals scored and 15 conceded. He averaged 1.25 points per match, according to Transfermarkt data.
Despite the disappointment of falling short of next year's World Cup, Indonesia set a new regional milestone by becoming the first Southeast Asian nation to reach the fourth round of the Asian zone qualifiers after finishing fourth in Group C of the previous round.
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Translator: Zaro E, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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