Netherlands and Barcelona legend Patrick Kluivert has been appointed as the new head coach of Indonesia, with the goal of leading the nation to their first World Cup appearance since independence.
The 48-year-old former striker has signed a two-year contract with an option for an extension, running from 2025 to 2027, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) confirmed on Wednesday.
Kluivert, whose managerial career has yet to match his illustrious playing days, is set to arrive in Indonesia on Saturday and will be formally introduced to the public the following day. The appointment comes after the controversial dismissal of South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong on Monday, despite leading Indonesia to the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Indonesia, ranked 127th in the FIFA standings, are in a strong position in their qualification campaign, currently third in their group with one win and three draws from six games. The top two teams in the group will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the third and fourth places will enter another round of qualification.
Kluivert’s challenge will be to guide the team to a top-two finish, with their next crucial match scheduled for March in Australia. The team faces an uphill battle against Group C leaders Japan and second-place Australia, just one point ahead.
While Kluivert’s appointment has met with some resistance from fans still supporting Shin, PSSI officials have cited communication issues between Shin and European-based players as a key factor in the decision. The move to bring in a Dutch coach is seen as a response to those challenges.
Kluivert, who retired in 2008 after a glittering career at Ajax, AC Milan, and Barcelona, was one of Europe’s top strikers during his playing years, scoring 123 goals in six seasons with Barcelona. He also netted 40 goals in 79 appearances for the Netherlands.
However, Kluivert’s managerial career has not enjoyed the same success. His most recent role was as head coach of Turkish club Adana Demirspor in 2023 for five months. He has also served as an assistant manager, including with Cameroon under Clarence Seedorf and the Netherlands under Louis van Gaal.
