Indonesia Appoints Patrick Kluivert as New National Team Coach

Patrick Kluivert aims to revive Indonesian football as the country's new national team coach, bringing his experience and expertise to the role.

New Indonesia Coach Patrick Kluivert Targets World Cup Qualification

Patrick Kluivert, the newly appointed coach of Indonesia, has set his sights on leading the team to the 2026 World Cup finals. The 48-year-old Dutchman is eager to make a strong start in his first match in charge, which will be against Australia. “From the first two games I would love to have at least four points,” Kluivert stated during his unveiling at a press conference in Jakarta.

Indonesia currently sits third in their qualifying group, trailing leaders Japan but only one point behind Australia in the battle for the two automatic berths in the global tournament. Kluivert's first qualifying match will be Indonesia's trip to Australia on March 20th, followed by a home match against Bahrain in Jakarta five days later.

Kluivert emphasized his preference for playing attacking football in a 4-3-3 formation but remains open to adapting his tactics. “When you play football the system will change ... the most important thing is the players understand what to do in what moment,” he explained. This flexible approach will be crucial as Indonesia navigates the challenges of World Cup qualification.

Indonesia's Football Fortunes on the Rise with New Coach Patrick Kluivert

Indonesia's national football team has experienced a significant resurgence in recent years, thanks in large part to the influx of players from the Indonesian diaspora, mainly born in the Netherlands. This new generation of players has rekindled hopes of a long-awaited return to the World Cup finals, a feat the country last achieved in 1938 as the Dutch East Indies.

Patrick Kluivert, Indonesia's new coach, boasts an impressive playing career, having won the Spanish league title with Barcelona in 1999 and scored 40 goals in 79 international appearances. Following his playing career, Kluivert transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach in the Netherlands and Australia before becoming the head coach of Curacao, his mother's homeland, in 2015.

Kluivert's coaching experience also includes a stint at Ajax Amsterdam's academy, where he worked from 2016 to 2017. He has now signed a contract with Indonesia through 2027 and will be assisted by fellow Dutchmen Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat. With Kluivert at the helm, Indonesia is eager to continue its upward trajectory and make a push for World Cup qualification.