McMenemy appointed coach of Indonesian football team

Jakarta  :  The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) on Thursday announced that Simon McMenemy will take charge of the country's national football team.

The Scot, who has been given a two-year deal, will lead the team in the 2020 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) championship, and will be aiming to qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Though several names had been shortlisted, we felt Simon McMenemy's achievements and experience made him the ideal candidate to achieve our desired objectives," PSSI Deputy Chairman Joko Daryono told a press conference.

The 41-year-old McMenemy replaces Bima Sakti, who left the team after Indonesia failed to progress beyond the group stage of this year's AFF championship.

The Scot most recently coached Indonesian Liga 1 side Bhayangkara FC, notably winning the club's first ever league title in 2017. Prior to arriving in Indonesia, he coached several teams across the Maldives, the Philippines and Vietnam.

In 2010, he also took charge of the Philippine national team, helping the Azkals reach the semifinals of that year's AFF Championship.