Netherlands and Barcelona football legend Patrick Kluivert has been named the new coach to head Indonesia football.
With the appointment that came on Wednesday, the 48-year-old former striker is tasked with leading Indonesia to its first World Cup since gaining independence.
The South-East 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.
The Dutchman was widely tipped for the role after Indonesia controversially sacked South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong on Monday.
Shin had led Indonesia, currently ranked 127th in FIFA rankings, into the decisive third round of Asian qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Indonesia has made only one World Cup appearance—in 1938, under Dutch colonial rule. The country declared independence in 1945.
Indonesia remains in contention for the 2026 World Cup, sitting third in their qualifying group after one win and three draws in six games. The top two teams qualify directly for North America, while the third and fourth-placed teams proceed to another round of qualifying.
Their next qualifier match is a pivotal match in March against Australia, who are second in Group C, just one point ahead. Japan currently leads the group comfortably.
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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)
