Breaking: Coach Van Gaal's announcement stirs up Indonesian football

Indonesian fans were left disappointed when the “big announcement” hinted at by legendary coach Louis van Gaal during a press conference turned out to have nothing to do with him becoming the new head coach of the Indonesian national team.

Before the press conference, social media exploded with rumors that Van Gaal would take over as head coach of Indonesia after Patrick Kluivert was dismissed by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) on October 16, 2025.

The information originated from the account The Touchline (citing 433) on platform X, with a message that excited fans: “BREAKING: Louis van Gaal will hold a press conference on Monday to announce big news.” Immediately, discussions spread widely, with many Indonesian fans believing the Dutch legend would be the next to lead the team following their failure in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

However, the truth disappointed everyone. According to Dutch media, Van Gaal’s press conference was unrelated to football. Instead, he announced his participation in a charity program by radio station 3FM. As an ambassador for the Spieren voor Spieren organization, Van Gaal introduced three DJs—Barend van Deelen, Sophie Hijlkema, and Mart Meijer—who would take part in the “Glass House” event, a musical fundraiser supporting children with muscle diseases, held in Den Bosch at the end of December.

During the press conference, the 74-year-old coach shared: “This is a project I am very proud to support. We can help children with muscle diseases have a better chance at living healthy lives.” His statement moved many, but for Indonesian fans, it was a moment of disappointment as the dream of Van Gaal leading the national team officially faded away.

The “3FM Serious Request” campaign that Van Gaal is involved in is a well-known annual charity event in the Netherlands. The event gathers numerous artists, athletes, and celebrities who live inside the “Het Glazen Huis” (The Glass House) for several days to raise funds for humanitarian causes. Having a figure of Van Gaal’s stature participate is seen as a significant media boost, helping the event gain greater exposure this year.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the Football Association is urgently searching for a replacement for Kluivert after the World Cup qualifying defeat. Some candidates mentioned include Jesus Casas—the former Iraq national team coach—and Timur Kapadze, the strategist who helped Uzbekistan secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Football expert Anton Sanjoyo commented: “Van Gaal was linked to Indonesia 10 years ago but declined. Now, with his age and health issues, the chance of him returning to coaching is almost zero.”

Louis van Gaal currently serves as an advisor at Ajax Amsterdam and has not managed any team since leaving the Netherlands national team after the 2022 World Cup. Although the “big announcement” did not meet expectations, his press conference still made a significant impact due to his humanitarian spirit and continuous dedication to the community.

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