Patrick Kluivert, the legendary football coach of the Netherlands and Barcelona, was announced as Indonesia’s next coach on Wednesday.
The 48-year-old former striker was appointed with the responsibility of guiding Indonesia to its first World Cup since achieving independence. The majority of the players on the Southeast Asian country’s team was born in the Netherlands and has obtained Indonesian citizenship.
Announcing the appointment in a statement released on Wednesday, the Indonesian Football Association said, “The Dutch football legend has signed a two-year contract from 2025 to 2027, with an option for an extension.”
Kluivert, whose managerial career has yet to match the heights of his illustrious playing days, is expected to arrive in Indonesia on Saturday and will be formally introduced to the public the following day.
Netherlands and Barcelona football legend Patrick Kluivert was named the new coach of Indonesia on Wednesday.
With the appointment, the 48-year-old former striker is tasked with leading Indonesia to its first World Cup since gaining independence. The Southeast Asian nation’s squad largely consists of players born in the Netherlands who have been naturalised to represent Indonesia.
Announcing the appointment in a statement released on Wednesday, the Indonesian Football Association said, “The Dutch football legend has signed a two-year contract from 2025 to 2027, with an option for an extension.”
Kluivert, whose managerial career has yet to match the heights of his illustrious playing days, is expected to arrive in Indonesia on Saturday and will be formally introduced to the public the following day.
Their next qualifier is a pivotal match in March against Australia, who are second in Group C, just one point ahead. Japan currently leads the group comfortably.
An official from the Indonesian Football Association admitted to AFP that Kluivert’s appointment was not widely welcomed by fans, many of whom still support Shin.
However, the official, speaking anonymously, stated: “Shin had communication problems with the European players. That’s why a coach from the Netherlands was chosen as his replacement.”
Amsterdam-born Kluivert retired as a player in 2008 after a stellar career that began at Ajax, where he won the Champions League. He later played for AC Milan and Barcelona.
Kluivert was one of Europe’s most feared forwards in his era, scoring 123 goals in six seasons for Barcelona and netting 40 goals in 79 appearances for the Netherlands.
However, his managerial career has not been as distinguished. His last coaching stint was at Turkish club Adana Demirspor, where he spent five months in 2023. Before that, he served as caretaker manager for Curacao in 2021.
Much of his coaching experience has been as an assistant, including stints under Clarence Seedorf with Cameroon (2018–2019) and Louis van Gaal with the Dutch national team (2012–2014).
