Héctor Souto’s name has become closely linked with the rapid rise of Indonesia’s futsal national team. Since his appointment as head coach in August 2024, the Spanish tactician has made an immediate impact, improving not only results but also the team’s overall level of play.
In a relatively short period, Souto has turned Indonesia into one of Southeast Asia’s leading futsal nations. The ASEAN Futsal Championship 2024 title and the gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games underline that progress. Indonesia also reached the final of the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup for the first time in its history, a milestone that signals the team’s growing presence at the continental level. Another historic achievement could follow if Indonesia manage to defeat Asian futsal powerhouse Iran.
Born in Chantada, Lugo Province, in Spain’s Galicia region, Souto is known for his structured tactical philosophy. His approach emphasizes disciplined organization, quick transitions, and sustained player development. He has also stressed the importance of alignment between Indonesia’s domestic futsal league and the national team, creating a clearer pathway for players to progress.
Souto’s journey in Indonesian futsal began well before his national team appointment. In 2021, he took charge of Bintang Timur Surabaya, where his influence quickly became evident. Under his leadership, the club ended Black Steel’s dominance and secured three Indonesian Futsal League titles between 2021 and 2024. For a club that had never previously won the league, the achievement marked a turning point. He also guided Bintang Timur Surabaya to the AFF Club Championship title in 2022.
Those successes paved the way for Souto’s promotion to head coach of the national team. Today, he is widely regarded as the key figure behind Indonesia’s futsal resurgence. If the current progress continues, Héctor Souto is likely to be remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of Indonesian futsal.
