Withe signs 4-year contract with PSSI

Withe signs 4-year contract with PSSI

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.