Netherlands and Barcelona football icon, Patrick Kluivert, has been named the new head coach of Indonesia, the country’s football association announced on Wednesday.
The 48-year-old former striker takes on the challenge of guiding Indonesia to its first World Cup appearance as an independent nation.
The Indonesian squad, which includes several naturalized players born in the Netherlands, will look to Kluivert for inspiration.
His appointment comes after South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong was controversially dismissed earlier this week.
Shin had led the team to the third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup but reportedly faced issues connecting with European-born players.
“The Dutch football legend has signed a two-year contract from 2025 to 2027, with an option for an extension,” the Indonesian Football Association confirmed in its statement.
Kluivert, who enjoyed a glittering playing career but has had a modest managerial record, is set to arrive in Indonesia on Saturday.
A formal introduction is scheduled for the following day.
Indonesia, ranked 127th by FIFA, has only featured in one World Cup, back in 1938, when the nation was under Dutch colonial rule.
The country declared independence in 1945 and has since sought a return to football’s grandest stage.
Currently, Indonesia is third in Group C of Asian qualifiers, with one win and three draws from six matches.
The top two teams in the group will secure a direct spot at the 2026 World Cup in North America, while the third and fourth-placed teams move on to additional qualification rounds.
Their next match in March against Australia, who are one point ahead, is seen as crucial. Japan leads the group with a comfortable margin.
While Kluivert’s arrival has sparked mixed reactions, with many fans still backing Shin, the association defended the decision.
An unnamed official explained to AFP, “Shin had communication problems with the European players. That’s why a coach from the Netherlands was chosen as his replacement.”
Born in Amsterdam, Kluivert retired in 2008 after a decorated playing career that began at Ajax, where he won the Champions League.
He went on to represent AC Milan and Barcelona, scoring 123 goals in six seasons for the Spanish giants and 40 goals in 79 appearances for the Dutch national team.
Despite his prowess as a player, Kluivert’s coaching journey has been less illustrious. His most recent role was a five-month stint with Turkish club Adana Demirspor in 2023.
He has also served as an assistant coach for teams like Cameroon, under Clarence Seedorf and the Netherlands, under Louis van Gaal, and briefly managed Curacao in 2021.
