Patrick Kluivert Sacked as Indonesia Coach After World Cup Failure

Patrick Kluivert's Tenure as Indonesia Coach

Patrick Kluivert's stint as Indonesia coach comes to an end after the team's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“After an open, full and respectful discussion, both parties agreed to end this partnership...” 

The Indonesian football federation has announced the departure of Dutch coach Patrick Kluivert, effective immediately, following a mutual agreement between both parties. This decision comes after Indonesia's crushing defeat to Iraq, which ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Kluivert's tenure as Indonesia's coach lasted nearly 12 months, during which he led the team in eight matches, securing three wins, one draw, and four losses. The federation cited the team's failure to qualify for the World Cup as the reason for Kluivert's departure, thanking him for his contributions and acknowledging the progress made during his time in charge.

The Indonesian football federation will now conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the national team's coaching and development program, paving the way for a new coach to take the reins. With friendlies scheduled for November, the search for Kluivert's replacement is expected to begin immediately.

“After an open, full and respectful discussion, both parties agreed to end this partnership,” the federation said on its website.

“The termination of this collaboration was made by mutual agreement, taking into account internal dynamics and the strategic direction of the national team's future development,” the PSSI continued.

Indonesia was seeking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since gaining independence in 1945. The team's advancement to the fourth round of Asian qualifiers marked a historic milestone, representing the country's best performance in World Cup qualification to date.

Patrick Kluivert, a renowned Dutch footballer with a storied career at AC Milan, Ajax, and Barcelona, took the reins of the Indonesian national team in January. His contract is set to expire next year. As coach, Kluivert led a team comprising players from Indonesia's Dutch diaspora, a policy introduced in 2023 that has seen 14 Dutch players with Indonesian heritage represent the nation.

🚨 BREAKING:

PSSI have confirmed that Patrick Kluivert and his coaching team have 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 with the Indonesia national team!

😳 pic.twitter.com/HOx6bivRlR

— Football Indonesia (@ftblindonesia) October 16, 2025

This unique blend of talent has brought new hope to Indonesian football, with captain Jay Idzes being a notable example. Despite the team's efforts, Kluivert's tenure ultimately ended with their failure to qualify for the World Cup. In just eight games under Kluivert's leadership, the team managed three wins, one draw, and four losses.

“The PSSI expressed its appreciation for the contributions of all members of the coaching team during their tenure. This step was taken as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the national football coaching and development program,” the federation concluded.