Patrick Kluivert Appointed as New Indonesia National Team Coach

Indonesia has named Dutch football legend Patrick Kluivert as their new national team coach, tasked with guiding them to the 2026 World Cup.

The Indonesian football association has made a significant announcement, revealing that Dutch football legend Patrick Kluivert will take the reins as the new manager of the country's men's team. Kluivert, 48, has been appointed until 2027, with the option to extend his contract further.

This development comes on the heels of Indonesia's decision to part ways with coach Shin Tae-yong on Monday. The move was likely prompted by the team's struggles to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. With Kluivert at the helm, Indonesia will be hoping to revive their qualifying campaign and make a strong push for a World Cup berth.

Patrick Kluivert, a renowned Dutch footballer and 1995 Champions League winner with Ajax, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indonesian national team. According to a statement released by the country's football federation, Kluivert will lead Indonesia until 2027, with the option to extend his tenure further.

Indonesia currently sits third in their World Cup qualifying group, having played six out of 10 matches. With a point separating them from Australia, Indonesia is in a heated battle for the second automatic spot in the finals. Notably, the upcoming World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature an expanded format with 48 participating teams, up from the previous 32.

Since retiring from professional football in 2008, Patrick Kluivert has accumulated a diverse range of experiences in the sport. His coaching career has taken him to various destinations, including Turkey, where he managed Adana Demirspor, and the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao. Additionally, Kluivert has held prominent roles such as director of football at Paris St Germain, assistant coach for the Netherlands and Cameroon, and manager of Ajax's youth team.

Kluivert's appointment as Indonesia's new head coach will be officially announced in Jakarta on Sunday. He will be joined by two fellow Dutchmen, Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat, who will serve as his assistant coaches. Kluivert's first competitive match in charge will be a crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia on March 20. Indonesia is seeking to end a long drought in World Cup appearances, having last participated in the tournament in 1938 as the Dutch East Indies.

Patrick Kluivert is the new Head Coach of the Indonesia senior men's football team. ✍️

For more details https://t.co/dVncl1psXU 📖

‣ #PSSI pic.twitter.com/QlJpWEvKzx

— PSSI (@PSSI) January 8, 2025

Despite facing stiff competition, Indonesia still harbors hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. If they finish third or fourth in their group, they may have an opportunity to advance through additional qualifying rounds and an intercontinental playoff, potentially securing a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament.