KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesian men's doubles coaching legend Herry Iman Pierngadi has stepped down after serving the badminton powerhouse for 25 years.
The 62-year-old, popularly known as Herry IP, has produced Olympic champions Tony Gunawan-Candra Wijaya and Hendra Setiawan-Markis Kido and an endless line of world class pairs.
Hendra had also forged a strong partnership with Mohammad Ahsan where the pair had won several world and All England titles.
The other notable combinations like Marcus Fernaldi Gideo-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto went on to win the All England and became world No. 1 in the men's doubles.
However, Herry was put in charge of the mixed doubles by Indonesia BA (PBSI) last year while his assistant Aryono Miranat took over the men's doubles.
PBSI is in the midst of restructuring its coaching set-up, and Herry has announced to the Indonesian media that he is leaving while Aryono has decided to return to his club PB Djarum.
The China BA (CBA), with its current open door policy, has been eyeing the services of the Indonesian expert.
On the other hand, Malaysia may benefit from hiring someone with the experience of Herry to join forces with coach Tan Bin Shen, who has been doing a good job with the current pairs.
With the BA of Malaysia (BAM) looking to end the long wait for an Olympic gold at the 2028 Los Angeles, Herry could be a valuable inclusion to help world No. 6 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and other rising pairs.
Much will also depend on the available funding as BAM had just hired Dane Kenneth Jonassen as the national singles head coach.
If there are no offers from BAM, Herry could be there to guide a strong China squad for the LA 2028 Olympics.