Every Young Boy's Dream in Indonesia

Phase 1: Introduction of Me

Me and Football

My name is Richard Dimas. I was born in Indonesia on July 29, 1995. If I had to describe myself in one sentence, I’m a man who lives, grows, and falls because of football. Since childhood, my dream was always simple: to play football at the highest level. While other kids dreamed of becoming doctors or engineers, I was busy memorizing the names of Manchester United players, hoping one day to wear their jersey — even if only in a dream.

My family was well-off, and they always expected me to follow a “safer” path.
"Why not focus on the family business?" or "Football is just a hobby, Richard, not a career." I heard these words countless times from my parents and friends. But for someone like me, football was more than just a hobby. It was a way of life.

I proved them wrong, at least for a while. At 20, I broke into professional football. It wasn’t with a big club, just a local team in Indonesia, but for me, it was the first step toward my bigger dream.

The Lowest Point

Unfortunately, no dream comes without setbacks. At 22, I suffered a severe knee injury during a match — a complete ligament tear. In an instant, everything fell apart. I remember that day like it was yesterday. The pain wasn’t just in my knee but deep inside my heart. When the doctor told me I would never play professional football again, it felt like my whole world had collapsed.

I fell into depression. For months, I locked myself at home, feeling worthless. What was the point of living if I couldn’t play football anymore?

My family kept urging me to give up on football. They wanted me to focus on the family business or go back to college. Everyone around me kept telling me to "move on." But no one understood how I felt. How could I “move on” from the only thing that made me feel alive?

The Turning Point

At 24, I realized I couldn’t live like this any longer. If I couldn’t be a player, then I would become a coach. Simple as that.

However, once again, people around me underestimated me. Friends and even former coaches, whom I once admired, told me to quit.
"You come from a wealthy family, why go through all this hassle to become a coach?" They couldn’t understand that money wasn’t my goal. It was about finding meaning and continuing with what I loved.

Then, amidst all the chaos, a woman entered my life and gave me the support I desperately needed. She was different. For the first time, someone told me the words I had longed to hear:
"If you truly love football, why should you stop just because others don’t believe in you?"

Her words touched something deep within me. For the first time in a long while, I felt confident in the path I had chosen.

The First Step as a Coach

I started from scratch. I attended coaching courses and worked tirelessly to earn my continental license by the age of 27. During that time, I worked as an assistant coach for local clubs in Indonesia. It might not have been a major achievement in the eyes of others, but for me, it was the first step on a long journey.

I knew that if I wanted to grow as a coach, I couldn’t stay in Indonesia forever. The world of football is too big to be confined to one country. If I wanted to become the best manager, I needed to venture abroad and take risks.

Daring to Dream Big

I had one big dream: to become the manager of Manchester United. I knew it sounded crazy and unrealistic, even to me. I didn’t dare say it out loud to anyone. But that dream became my compass, guiding every step I took and every decision I made.

I knew this journey wouldn’t be easy. There were no guarantees of success. But with life full of uncertainties, why should I be afraid to try? The only thing I knew for sure was this: I would never stop trying.

Towards the Next Phase: Turkey, I’m Coming!

At the end of 2022, an opportunity finally appeared — through an online connection. I got to know an agent from Turkey through an international football coaching community. That’s when I first heard the name Gençlerbirliği, a mid-tier club struggling to stay in the league. They were searching for a new manager.

However, taking this opportunity required a huge sacrifice. I sold my father’s inheritance, which caused a big argument in my family. They couldn’t understand why I was risking everything for a job with no certainty of success.

With one suitcase, my coaching license, and big hopes, I left Indonesia and flew to Turkey. I didn’t know what awaited me there, but I knew one thing for sure: this was the first step in my long journey towards my dream. No matter what happened, I would keep moving forward.