REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir said it was not easy to find the right figure to become PSSI's technical director. In an interview with the sports media Skor, Sunday (19/1/2025), Erick mentioned a number of requirements and plans for the announcement of technical director.

“Finding the right technical director figure is not easy because in Indonesia itself there are already several coach figures who also have a track record and good results. So we are still looking for figures who can really be respected and also understand how Indonesian football plans going forward,” he said.

Erick added that another difficulty is finding technical director who wants to live full-time in Indonesia.

“We had three names. Last month I was already confident, but yes we are changing again. Hopefully by the end of February it will be announced. Technical director should be able to exchange his mind with senior coaches, U-23, U-20, and U-17 coaches,” he continued.

Technical director of PSSI can also start descending into the regions to convey the philosophy of Indonesian football going forward. Erick admitted that PSSI had the formula before. Yet he reminded back that football is evolving.

He said that a country that has a football philosophy that will consistently get good results on a continuous basis. So, not because a golden generation ago had a great achievement but it ended up being cut off.

“Well, this is how Indonesia can also continue to consistently produce good generations and good results yes. It does need the cooperation of all. It's not easy, but we'll try,” Erick said.

Regarding the assistant coach of the national team, Erick explained, there are several places for two assistant coaches from Indonesia. However, in the big plan of the PSSI, there will be an additional assistant coach who can also work with national coaches of various levels, from U-20, U-17, U-23, and senior.

“The plan is to have assistants in the national team who are also focused on regeneration. It is not possible that it will also help in the older age group. We are not sure yet, because it will be Patrick Kluivert who will announce it later,” Erick said.

According to Erick, this was the result of a long discussion. Because, he believes that a good program works not only because of good coaches and quality players, but also how this regeneration is continuous. For that, he said, each coach should be able to work together.

“Maybe the first assistant coach will be announced, it will only be technical director at the end of February,” Erick said.

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