Indonesia Appoints Patrick Kluivert as New National Football Team Coach

TheIndonesia.id - The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) officially announced on Wednesday that Patrick Kluivert has been appointed as the new head coach of the national football team.

According to Antara News Agency, the announcement was made through a post on the association’s official website and Instagram account, where PSSI introduced the former football star with a video showcasing his playing career with Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona FC, and the Dutch national team.

 

The appointment comes after the PSSI parted ways with previous coach Shin Tae-yong on Monday, sparking rumors that Kluivert would be the one to take over. Kluivert has signed a two-year contract, running from 2025 to 2027, with an option to extend. His primary mission will be to guide Indonesia towards qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Kluivert, who enjoyed a distinguished playing career at top clubs including Ajax, Barcelona, and AC Milan, will be supported by two Dutch assistants, Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat, alongside two local coaches.

Although Kluivert has primarily served as an assistant coach in his post-playing career, he has had managerial stints with the Curacao national team and Turkish club Adana Demirspor. Under his leadership, Curacao recorded four wins, four draws, and six losses, while Adana Demirspor posted eight wins, six draws, and six losses.

The new coach is set to arrive in Indonesia on January 11, 2025, and will be officially introduced to the public the following day. Kluivert’s first challenge will come in March 2025, when Indonesia faces Australia and Bahrain in two crucial World Cup qualifying matches.

Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as Kluivert aims to elevate Indonesian football on the international stage.