Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) will begin its search in Europe for a new head coach for the senior national team, following the dismissal of Patrick Kluivert in mid-October. 

National Team Agency Chief Sumardji said on Wednesday (26/11/2025) that PSSI delegates and technical officials will fly to Europe this week.

“Tonight, two Exco members will depart first, and our Technical Director, Alexander Zwiers, has already left yesterday,” he told reporters at Stadion Madya, Jakarta, as reported by antaranews.com. 

He confirmed that interviews with shortlisted candidates have been arranged for the coming weeks.

Although Sumardji declined to reveal their identities or target countries, he confirmed there are five candidates. A key criterion will be knowledge transfer to Indonesia’s assistant coaches.

“That is crucial,” Sumardji stressed. “We need a senior coach who is committed to developing local assistants. Coach Nova Arianto is a result of learning under Shin Tae-yong.”

Sumardji added that the final decision will follow PSSI’s statutory process. 

(mg/inp/pr/rs)