Revealing the reason why Indonesia dismissed the entire U23 coaching staff

PSSI has officially terminated the contract with coach Gerald Vanenburg, concluding the short and unfortunate journey of the Dutch coach with Indonesia’s U23 national team.

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has formally announced the termination of the contract with Dutch coach Gerald Vanenburg. This decision is seen as an inevitable consequence following a series of disappointing results by the Indonesia U23 team when they failed to secure a ticket to the 2026 AFC U23 Championship finals under the Dutch coach’s leadership.

Coach Vanenburg was appointed by PSSI in January 2025, with hopes he would continue the success of the U23 generation that impressed under coach Shin Tae Yong. The former Dutch star was expected to bring a modern and scientific style of play. However, after nearly 10 months, the actual results did not meet expectations.

Statistics show that the 61-year-old coach led the Indonesia U23 team in 8 matches, achieving four wins (including one penalty shootout victory), two draws, and two losses. Although the team scored 22 goals and conceded only nine, crucial results in the 2026 AFC U23 qualifiers shattered fans’ confidence.

In the group staged in Indonesia, Vanenburg’s squad started shakily with a 0-0 draw against Laos U23, then a strong 5-0 win over Macau U23. However, in the decisive match against South Korea U23, Indonesia lost 0-1 and was eliminated, failing to qualify for the finals. Thus, the biggest goal for Indonesia U23 was shattered.

After failing to qualify for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, PSSI conducted a comprehensive evaluation immediately following this defeat. In an official statement, PSSI affirmed:

“The contract termination was mutually agreed upon by both parties, based on performance results and the development direction of the national team in the upcoming period.”

The federation also expressed gratitude to coach Vanenburg and his staff for their professional contributions during their tenure. However, experts interpret this message as PSSI tactfully acknowledging the disappointment over the Dutch coach’s effectiveness.

Vanenburg was highly regarded for his technical coaching skills, but analysts believe he did not adapt quickly enough to the Southeast Asian football environment, which demands flexibility and understanding of local players’ psychology. His style, focused on ball control and high pressing, was seen as unsuitable for the physical build and stamina of young Indonesian players.

The dismissal of Gerald Vanenburg is not only a move to “clear the way” for the rebuilding of Indonesia’s youth football but also a warning to any coach taking over the hot seat: in the archipelago, only results can maintain the trust of fans.