Arema F.C.

The fabled origin of Arema's name

The name Arema refers to a legendary figure in Malang folklore called Kebo Arema who was a knight in King Kertanegara of Singhasari's court when the latter ruled the kingdom in the 13th century. The kingdom's name relates to the contemporary Singosari district of Malang Regency, located a few miles north of Malang city. According to the folklore song of Panji Wijayakrama, Kebo Arema quashed a revolt by Kelana Bhayangkara until all the rebels were crushed like leaves eaten by caterpillars. In the ancient book of Negarakertagama, Kebo Arema also was cited as the one who ended the Cayaraja rebellion. Kebo Arema also led expansionary campaigns for Kertanegara. Together with Mahisa Anengah, Kebo Arema conquered the Pamalayu Kingdom on Sumatra island centered in what is now known as Jambi province in order to have access to the Malacca Strait. The heroism of Kebo Arema is little known because history books focus on the achievements of Kertanegara as the most prominent Singhasari king.

In the '80s

The name Arema reappeared in Malang around the 1980s. While it is unclear that the revival had anything to do with Kebo Arema, the name became popular among the youth in Malang who had developed a subculture. Arema is an acronym of Arek Malang, which means Youths of Malang. The Arema subculture has distinct identities, symbols and even languages that differentiates it from the main culture in the East Java province. It is often seen as a…

Head Coach by years (1987–present)

Notes:

Coaches in italic indicate the caretaker position.

League

Indonesia Super League/Liga 1 Champions (1): 2009–10 Runners-up (2): 2010–11, 2013 Galatama Champions (1): 1992–93 Liga Indonesia First Division Champions (1): 2004

Cups

Piala Indonesia Winners (2): 2005, 2006 Runners-up (1): 2010 East Java Governor Cup Winners (1): 2013 Runners-up (2): 2008, 2012 Menpora Cup Winners (1): 2013 Inter Island Cup Winners (1): 2014/15 Piala Presiden Winners (4): 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024 Indonesian Community Shield Runners-up (1): 2010

Friendly

Trofeo Persija Winners (2): 2013, 2015 SCM Cup Winners (1): 2015 Bali Island Cup Winners (2): 2015, 2016 Bhayangkara Cup Winners (2): 2016, 2017 Trofeo Ronaldinho Runner-up (1): 2022