Teco Officially Training Barito Putera, Facing League 2 After Indonesia’s Latest Degradation

Viralterkini.id, Jakarta – Barito Putera officially appointed Stefano “Teco” Cugurra as head coach to sail League 2 season 2025/2026.

This certainty was announced by the club nicknamed Laskar Antasari on Monday night, June 2, 2025, marking their serious steps after being degraded from League 1.

Teco’s move to Barito Putera while ending speculation about the future of the Brazilian coach after resigning from Bali United.

In the upload on his official Instagram, Barito Putera welcomed Teco warmly.

“With experienced skipper, we are ready to face League 2 waves. Welcome Coach Teco, let’s fight together!” Write the club, accompanied by a photo of Teco standing with the club owner, Hasnuryadi Sulaiman.

Teco is widely known in the Indonesian soccer arena. He made a brilliant achievement for 6.5 years to coach Bali United.

Together with Serdadu Tridatu, the 50 -year -old coach successfully presented two League 1 titles in the 2019 season and 2021-2022.

In addition, Bali United also penetrated the Championship Series round in the 2023-2024 season.

Before coaching Bali United, Teco also handled Persija Jakarta and led the Capital Club to win the 2018 League 1 title.

He also has a trail in Persebaya Surabaya as an assistant coach Jacksen F Tiago when the club from the City of Heroes won the 2004 Indonesian League.

The two former clubs were linked again with Teco after he separated from Bali United.

However, the direction of Teco’s career actually surprised the public. Not returning to Persija or Persebaya, he chose to accept new challenges with Barito Putera who finished last season in the 17th of League 1 with 34 points-only two points adrift of the safe zone.

Teco’s decision to join the degraded team was in its own spotlight. Barito Putera is currently preparing to face the League 2 2025/2026 competition which is participated by 20 teams and divided into two regions.

The club from South Kalimantan became one of the three League 1 teams that were degraded and had to fight to return to promotion next season.

On the other hand, Teco’s presence raised a question about League 2 regulations related to the existence of a foreign coach.

Until now, League 2 is known to still prohibit the use of foreign coach services as head coach.

The appointment of Teco as the head coach of Barito Putera gave rise to speculation that the regulation would change or be given an exception.

Until this news was revealed, PSSI and PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) as the operator have not given an official statement regarding changes in the regulation of foreign coaches in League 2.

If it is true that there is a loosening of the rules, then this does not only have an impact on Barito Putera, but also other clubs like PSS Sleman who are considering maintaining their foreign coach, Pieter Huistra.

For Barito Putera, the presence of Teco’s class coaches became a strong signal that the club was ambitioned to immediately return to the highest caste of Indonesian football.

Teco’s experience in League 1, coupled with a flashy note of achievement, became an important provision in navigating the League 2 competition which was known to be quite competitive.

With a limited preparation time towards Kick-off League 2, Teco will be faced with a number of challenges.

He must form a competitive squad, adjust to the regulation of competition, and arouse the enthusiasm of the players after a disappointing season.

Barito Putera hopes that Teco’s cold hand will be able to bring the team to compete again in League 1 the following season.

The Brazilian coach is also expected to soon start the inaugural training session in the near future, while waiting for the clarity of official regulations from PSSI and PT LIB.