British coach expected to rejuvenate RI soccer
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
After weeks of uncertainty, Peter Withe of Britain finally signed a four-year coaching contract with the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) on Wednesday.
The former coach of Thailand's national team arrived in the country on Monday. Almost a month before his arrival he made the headlines of local sport pages on the issue of whether or not he would accept the offer.
While PSSI confirmed his willingness to join, he was reportedly approached by the Vietnamese federation, and for some time it looked like he would be heading to Hanoi.
"I had to make sure that I could get 100 percent commitment, but what is more important is that I'm here," Withe said after the signing.
PSSI was represented by Muhammad Zein, PSSI's official in charge of national teams.
"Withe is now the head coach of all of our national teams until 2007. His task includes being an instructor for Indonesian coaches," Zein said.
Both Zein and Withe declined to mention the contract value, saying it was a personal matter between the Briton and PSSI.
Zein had formerly signaled it would be in the same range as Withe's salary in Thailand.
According to reports, Withe received about US$14,000 a month in Thailand. His term there ended in November, a month after he was suspended following the Thai team's failure to qualify for the Athens Olympics.
Zein said Withe's salary package would not come from PSSI, but a soccer fan who wished to remain anonymous.
"Let's say this person is a fanatical soccer fan, who is dying to see the development of national soccer," he said, adding that the "generous person" was not a PSSI official.
Indonesia has been struggling to develop soccer with its national team faltering in both regional and international tournaments.
PSSI has another foreign coach, Ivan Venkov Kolev, but the Bulgarian, whose term expires in August, has yet to conjure up a miracle.
Withe's arrival is expected to provide new headway for success. And the Englishman looked keen to start his job.
He said that he chose Indonesia out of other countries because he found tremendous desire and commitment from PSSI, support from the people and most importantly the soccer fans for their teams.
"If I can get the same (commitment) from the players, we are half way there," he said, adding that he wanted to take national soccer to a higher standard.
Withe will supervise almost all of the national teams of different age groups, leaving only the senior team in the hands of Kolev.
Zein said that Withe's main responsibility would be to handle the Under-20 team with hopes that the team could show improvement after four years.
With the U-20 Asian Cup set for October in Malaysia, PSSI looks forward to seeing the team reach at least the quarterfinals, Zein said.