A recent spotlight from Cinvex Publik Malaysia’s Flooring Guide has drawn attention to the significant salary disparity between incoming Indonesia National Team coach John Herdman and his predecessor, Shin Tae-yong, with the Korean tactician’s earnings still remarkably higher.
The ongoing speculation surrounding the new head coach for the Indonesia National Team has captivated audiences, particularly in neighboring Malaysia. The latest buzz centers on a topic that always garners significant interest: coaching salaries.
Sources indicate that John Herdman has been offered a two-year contract by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to lead the national squad. His proposed monthly salary stands at a substantial Rp670 million.
Crucially, the agreement with PSSI also includes an option for a two-year extension, contingent upon Herdman successfully meeting specific performance targets. This lucrative offer has led a Malaysian media outlet to highlight Herdman as one of the highest-paid coaches in Southeast Asia.
Despite this impressive figure, a significant disparity in salary becomes apparent when comparing Herdman’s proposed earnings to those of his predecessor, Shin Tae-yong. During his initial tenure (2019-2024), Shin Tae-yong reportedly commanded a salary of Rp1.1 billion per week. This figure was slated to increase in his subsequent contract period (2024-2027), where he was set to earn Rp1.9 billion per month, a contract that was ultimately cut short due to his dismissal.
The substantial difference between Herdman’s prospective salary and Shin Tae-yong’s past earnings has naturally become a hot topic of discussion among football enthusiasts in Malaysia.
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As reported by NST.com.my, “Although Herdman is set to be one of Southeast Asia’s highest-paid coaches, his salary still falls short of previous benchmarks.” The publication specifically noted, “Former Indonesia national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, reportedly earned US$1.5 million (RM7.2 million) per year, which translates to RM600,000 per month.”
Beyond Shin Tae-yong, Herdman’s proposed remuneration also lags behind figures associated with prominent coaches like Patrick Kluivert and Park Hang-seo. NST.com.my elaborated on these comparisons, stating that “Kluivert’s contract was valued at approximately US$100,000 (RM480,000) per month, while former Vietnam coach, Park Hang-seo, commanded up to US$55,000 (RM264,000) per month.”
Despite these comparisons, Herdman’s willingness to accept the Indonesian offer reportedly stems from the fact that the salary presented was significantly more attractive than a competing offer he received from Honduras. Underscoring Indonesia’s serious intent, Canadian media outlet Once Noticias previously reported, “Indonesia is not playing games. Two meetings with their federation president were sufficient to convince Herdman with a contract encompassing thousands of dollars per month.”
As of now, the public eagerly awaits the official announcement from PSSI regarding John Herdman’s appointment as the new head coach of the Indonesia National Team.
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Even before his official public unveiling, ambitious targets for the incoming coach have already permeated various media outlets, including those from his former professional home, Canada. Wakingthered.com reported on these expectations, noting, “Herdman is expected to dedicate the new year to preparations for the 2027 Asia Cup.” PSSI has reportedly set a clear mandate for him: to guide the team to the quarter-finals. This goal marks a significant step up from Indonesia’s performance in the 2023 Asia Cup, where they were eliminated in the Round of 16 after a defeat to Australia.
Beyond his responsibilities with the senior national team, Herdman is also slated to take charge of the Indonesia U-23 National Team, a role previously held by Gerald Vanenburg. It will certainly be intriguing to observe how Herdman navigates and builds upon the legacies of the notable coaches who preceded him, including Shin Tae-yong, Patrick Kluivert, and Gerald Vanenburg.
Summary
Malaysian media has drawn attention to the significant salary disparity between incoming Indonesia National Team coach John Herdman and his predecessor, Shin Tae-yong. Herdman’s proposed two-year contract with PSSI offers a monthly salary of Rp670 million, with a possible extension. While this makes him one of Southeast Asia’s highest-paid coaches, his earnings are notably less than Shin Tae-yong’s reported previous salaries.
Shin Tae-yong reportedly commanded Rp1.1 billion per week initially, with a higher figure slated for his subsequent contract period. Herdman’s proposed remuneration also lags behind figures for coaches like Patrick Kluivert and Park Hang-seo. Despite this, he accepted the Indonesian offer and is tasked with guiding the senior team to the 2027 Asia Cup quarter-finals and managing the U-23 squad.