Home » Indonesia Appoints Former Dutch Star Patrick Kluivert as Head Coach

Indonesia Appoints Former Dutch Star Patrick Kluivert as Head Coach

Indonesia has announced Patrick Kluivert, a former Dutch football legend, as the new head coach of their national team. Kluivert has signed a two-year contract with the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), which includes an option to extend for another two years.

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Official Introduction of Patrick Kluivert as Indonesia new boss Set for January 12

Kluivert, 48, will be formally introduced as head coach at a ceremony in Jakarta on January 12. The PSSI has set a bold target for him: securing the FIFA World Cup qualification.

This announcement came just hours after PSSI confirmed the departure of Shin Tae-Yong, who had managed Indonesia for five years. PSSI President Erick Thohir emphasized that the decision was mutual despite Shin’s contract extension in April 2024, valid until 2027. Thohir also clarified that Indonesia’s group-stage exit from the 2024 ASEAN Cup was not the primary reason for the change.

A Bold “Dutch Revolution”

The hiring of Kluivert signals Indonesia’s commitment to a “Dutch revolution” in their football strategy. PSSI has fast-tracked the naturalization of Dutch players with Indonesian heritage in recent years, aiming to strengthen the squad.

This approach has shown early success, as Indonesia advanced to the third round of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers for the first time. Despite facing strong teams like Japan, Australia, and Saudi Arabia, they currently sit third in Group C with six points from six matches.

Why Patrick Kluivert?

According to European media, Indonesia considered two candidates: Kluivert and the more experienced Louis van Gaal. While Kluivert has less coaching experience, his Surinamese roots—a region with historical ties to Indonesia through Dutch colonization—made him an appealing choice.

Many Surinamese trace their ancestry to Indonesia, particularly Java, due to migration during the 19th and 20th centuries. This shared heritage has made Kluivert a popular figure in Indonesia, and he is appreciated for his football achievements and his connection to Dutch and Indonesian culture.

A Stellar Playing Career

Kluivert was one of Europe’s finest strikers during the 1990s and early 2000s. Known for his clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and technical skill, he won numerous honors, including:

• The UEFA Champions League with Ajax in 1995
• La Liga with Barcelona
• Playing stints with top clubs like AC Milan, Newcastle United, Lille, Valencia, and PSV Eindhoven

Kluivert earned 79 caps and scored 40 goals for the Dutch national team. He was pivotal in leading the Netherlands to the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 semifinals. At Euro 2000, held on home soil, he scored five goals and won the Golden Boot.

Coaching and Administrative Career

After retiring, Kluivert transitioned to coaching and management. He served as an assistant coach for the Netherlands from 2012 to 2014, helping the team reach the World Cup semifinals in Brazil. He later worked as PSG’s Director of Football (2016-2017) and as a consultant for football academies.

A New Era for Indonesian Football

Kluivert’s appointment marks a fresh chapter for Indonesian football. With his experience as a player and coach and his cultural connection to the region, Kluivert is expected to build on the team’s recent progress and lead them closer to their World Cup dreams.

He will face his first challenges in March, with crucial World Cup qualifiers against Australia and Bahrain, followed by matches against China and Japan in June.