Park Hang-seo promoted to head Indonesia team

At noon on October 16, PSSI announced Kluivert's dismissal after the home team missed tickets to the 2026 World Cup. Dutch teammates Gerald Vanenburg (U23) and Frank van Kempen (U20) were also sacked. PSSI chairman Erick Thohir said he would soon assess the situation and set new goals for Indonesian football, such as entering the World Top 100, winning tickets to the Asian Cup 2027, World Cup 2030.

When asked about suitable candidates for the next goals of the Indonesian recruitment, the expert Supriyono nominated two names. It is former Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo and Alex Pastoor - Dutch coach who helped three home clubs to the highest league in the Netherlands, including Excelsior (2010), Sparta Rotterdam (2016) and Almere City (2023).

“I want Park to lead the team,” Supriyono told CNN Indonesia on October 16. "I really like this coach. Under his leadership, Vietnam has grown strongly with teams of all ages."

According to this expert, Vietnamese football once put faith in Park and has reaped many successes such as the 2018 AFF Cup championship, two SEA Games gold medals in 2019 and 2021. "Importantly, the South Korean coach understands Southeast Asian football. He can restore the players' playing spirit and discipline," Supriyono added.

After stepping down as Vietnam coach in early 2023, Park has not led a single team, despite being linked to multiple teams and clubs. The South Korean captain only accepts advice from the North Ninh Club. From April 2025, he served as Vice President of the Korean Football Association (KFA) for the 2025-2028 term and participated in the country's World Cup project.

While leading the Vietnamese national team, Park met Indonesia five times and was unbeaten, with three wins and two draws. In particular, the Korean strategist and his students defeated Indonesia’s U23 in the SEA Games 30 final in 2019, helping Vietnam win the SEA Games men’s gold medal for the first time.