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Frank van Kempen (left) with PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir revealed the reason for appointing Frank van Kempen as head coach of the Indonesia U-20 national team because the Dutch coach was able to bridge a continuous coaching path from youth level to senior national team. Van Kempen is known to be an experienced coach who has long dabbled in the development of young players in Europe.
With a background as technical director of the Dutch Eredivisie clubs' academies and experience coaching age groups at the elite level, Kempen was judged to have the capacity sought by PSSI.
“We need a coach who is not only tactically competent, but also understands the importance of the transition of players from the U20 to the U23 and senior age groups. Frank van Kempen has a track record in this regard,” Erick said in his official statement in Jakarta, Saturday (5/7/2025).
In Van Kempen's hands, Garuda Muda will be directed to excel in AFF U-19 and AFC U-20 Qualifiers, as well as to be a screening vessel for superior talent ready to fill the needs of top-level teams gradually and systematically. The move, Erick said, confirms PSSI's focus on strengthening the foundations of young age coaching for the sake of the continued advancement of national football.
Born in Sevenum on January 6, 1972, he had experience as a youth football coach, having been assistant coach of the Dutch U-20 national team from 2014 to 2016. van Kempen's last post was assistant coach of VVV-Venlo, a second division club for two years from July 2022 to 30 June 2024. He was also the head coach of several clubs such as NAC Breda U-21, Sparta U-21, Sparta U-19, VVV-Venlo II, Helmond U-21, and Roda JC U-19.
Van Kempen, who replaced Indra Sjafri, expressed his enthusiasm for joining the big project of Indonesian football that brought Dutchmen into the coaching ranks, such as Gerald Vanenburg in the U-23 team and Patrick Kluivert in the senior team.
“Indonesia's young talent is amazing. My job is to create a development bridge for them to compete at the highest level, with a foundation of discipline, modern tactics and a culture of hard work,” said the 53-year-old.
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