Alen Stajcic has been appointed head coach of the Indonesia women's national football team, having signed a three-year contract with the aim of qualifying for a maiden FIFA Women's World Cup.
The Australian, 53, replaces Japanese coach Satoru Mochizuki, and his appointment is part of the Indonesian national federation's (PSSI) hopes to take women's football to the next level while strengthening the foundations of youth development and professional competition.
Stajcic guided Australia to the quarterfinals of the 2015 Women's World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics, as well as two AFC Women's Asian Cup finals, before taking Philippines to their first Women's World Cup appearance in 2023, when they defeated co-hosts New Zealand 1-0.
He also took the Filipinas to the AFC Women's Asian Cup semifinals and their first AFF Women's Championship title in 2022.
"I hope we can make Indonesia one of the strongest teams in the world," Stajcic said at his unveiling in Jakarta.
"All elements, from the top to the bottom, share the same goal: To transform Indonesia, which has been underrated in world football for the past 10-15 years, into a major force."
PSSI president Erick Thohir said that Stajcic's experience coaching against Southeast Asian teams was key to his appointment, and the federation had pursued the Australian for several months.
"We want the national team to advance to the World Cup," Thohir said. "We thank coach 'Mochi', but improvements are still needed.
Stajcic's immediate objective is to secure Garuda Pertiwi's qualification for the 2029 Women's Asian Cup, and he will take charge of the team in the international friendlies against Bhutan and Lebanon, on Nov. 29 and Dec. 5 respectively, in Kudus, Central Java.
"Coaching Indonesia is a huge responsibility and an honor for me," Stajcic said.
"I want to help Indonesian women's football develop into a strong team in the future."