In a poignant development, Sergio Farias, the head coach of Persija Jakarta, has opted to resign from his position in light of his son’s recent diagnosis of COVID-19. The situation has been further compounded by the tragic news of the passing of Farias’ nephew due to the virus, leading the seasoned tactician to prioritize his family during these challenging times.
The management of Persija officially announced Farias’ departure on Thursday, clarifying that the decision was made amicably. The coach will return to his home country of Brazil as soon as possible to support his loved ones during this distressing period. Following Farias’ exit, assistant coach Sudirman has been appointed as the new head coach for the resumption of the 2020 Liga 1 Indonesia season. Sudirman has previously served as a caretaker manager for Persija and has built a rapport with the players, which bodes well for a seamless transition as the team moves forward.
Mohamad Prapanca, the president of Persija, expressed his sorrow regarding Farias’ resignation, acknowledging the mutual aspirations shared between the coach and the club to achieve greater success this season. “We were quite devastated by the news,” Prapanca conveyed in an interview with Kompas. He continued, “Both Farias and we had ambitions to elevate Persija, yet the current circumstances are overwhelmingly unforeseen. We extend our heartfelt wishes for strength to Farias and hope for a swift recovery for his son.”
President Prapanca credited Sudirmann’s promotion largely to his distinguished history with Persija since 2009 and his strong relationships with the players. This familiarity is expected to minimize the adjustment period, thus maintaining the team’s performance as they prepare for the league’s continuation.
Under Farias’ tenure, Persija engaged in two matches, securing a victory against Borneo FC and achieving a draw with their city rivals Bhayangkara FC. However, the third fixture against Persebaya Surabaya faced postponement due to the pandemic, which ultimately led to the suspension of Indonesian football. As the club embarks on this new chapter with Sudirman, it faces significant challenges ahead in the midst of the ongoing global health crisis.
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