The football world was taken by surprise on Wednesday as the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) announced the appointment of Netherlands legend Patrick Kluivert as the new head coach of the Indonesia national team. The stunning decision comes just two days after the shock dismissal of previous coach Shin Tae-Yong, who had overseen a remarkable rise for Indonesian football in recent years.
Kluivert Signs Two-Year Deal
Kluivert, 46, has put pen to paper on an initial two-year contract that runs through 2027, with an option for extension. The Dutchman is set to arrive in Indonesia on Saturday and will be officially unveiled the following day. As part of his technical staff, Kluivert will be joined by fellow countrymen Denny Landzaat and Alex Pastoor as assistants, along with two yet-to-be-announced local coaches.
Glittering Playing Career
As a player, Kluivert forged a reputation as one of the most lethal strikers of his generation. He famously won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax in 1995 and went on to score 122 goals in 257 appearances during a trophy-laden six-year spell at Barcelona. For the Netherlands national team, Kluivert netted 40 goals in 79 caps, making him the nation’s fourth all-time leading scorer.
“Patrick brings immense experience, knowledge and star power to this role. We believe he is the right man to build on the strong foundations laid by Coach Shin and take Indonesia to the next level.”
– Erick Thohir, Chairman of PSSI
Limited Managerial Experience
While Kluivert’s exploits as a player are unquestioned, his credentials as a head coach are less established. To date, his managerial experience has been limited to a stint in charge of CONCACAF minnows Curaçao and a brief five-month spell at Turkish side Adana Demirspor in 2019, where he departed well before his two-year contract was up.
Baptism of Fire Against Australia
Kluivert will have little time to acclimatize, as his first match at the helm will be a daunting test against Asian powerhouse Australia on March 20 in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying. It was against the Socceroos that previous coach Shin masterminded a creditable 0-0 draw in September, a result that will give the new man a clear benchmark to match. The March window also sees a home clash with Bahrain, where Indonesia will hope to cement their position in the top four of Group C and keep their qualification dreams alive.
Rising Expectations
There is no question that Kluivert inherits a national team on an upward trajectory. Under Shin’s tenure, which began in 2019, Indonesia climbed from 173rd to 127th in the FIFA World Rankings and qualified for their first AFC Asian Cup in 17 years in 2023. However, alleged friction between Shin and influential PSSI figures, not least chairman and former Inter Milan owner Erick Thohir, proved the South Korean’s undoing despite his success.
Dutch Influence Growing
Kluivert’s appointment sees him become the latest Dutchman to take up a prominent role in Indonesian football. An increasing number of players with roots in the Netherlands have been naturalized as Indonesians in recent years, adding to speculation that the PSSI would favor a Dutch coach. Now, the Oranje legend must gel quickly with this diverse group and prove that he can translate his attacking playing style into a winning formula from the dugout.
“I am excited and grateful for this opportunity to lead a talented group of players and a country with such passion for football. I cannot wait to get started and meet the challenge head on.”
– Patrick Kluivert, newly-appointed Indonesia head coach
The appointment of Patrick Kluivert as Indonesia head coach has sent shockwaves through Southeast Asian football. While his managerial CV may be light, his pedigree as a player commands instant respect. If Kluivert can harness the undoubted potential of Indonesian football and build on the rapid progress of the Shin era, this could prove a match made in heaven. But with a baptism of fire against Australia looming, the Dutchman must hit the ground running to win over players and fans alike. The next chapter for one of Asia’s sleeping giants promises to be utterly fascinating.
