Patrick Kluivert appointed as new head coach of Indonesia national football team

Kluivert has formally been the assistant coach of the Dutch national team.

After two years off the field, Patrick Kluivert has been appointed as the manager of Indonesia. The 48-year-old veteran of Barcelona and Newcastle had previously coached Adana Demirspor in Turkey, but he was fired after only five months.

Kluivert, a former Holland international with 40 goals and 79 caps, hasn’t been able to recreate his successful playing career as a manager.

However, on Monday, Indonesian football director Erick Thohir announced the unexpected dismissal of former head coach Shin Tae-Yong, who was well-liked and successful.

Thohir, the former owner of Inter Milan- said: “We see the need for a leader who is better able to implement the strategies agreed upon by the players, and who has better communication.

“Correspondence regarding the end of our relationship has been received [by Shin] and I would like to express my gratitude. We have also found a replacement, who will arrive on the 11th [of January]. A news conference will be held on the 12th.”

To replace Shin, Kluivert has agreed to a two-year agreement with a two-year extension option. The unexpected action was taken as Indonesia attempt to qualify for the 2026 World Cup for the first time in their history.

🚨🇮🇩 Patrick Kluivert set to sign as new Indonesia head coach, deal done.2 years plus 2 years option, presentation to take place on January 12 in Indonesia.The goal is to reach the World Cup qualification. pic.twitter.com/TWdqhN2eCW

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 6, 2025

The country, who are ranked 127th in the FIFA world rankings, have never participated in the event but is still very much in the running following a strong qualifying campaign.

In the third round of the Asian qualifications, Indonesia are ranked third out of six teams in Group C, ahead of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China, and behind only Australia and Japan.

It is therefore surprising that the Indonesian football authorities decided to fire Shin and put Kluivert, a manager who is very inexperienced, in his place.

Kluivert, whose child Justin plays for Bournemouth and the Dutch national team, retired in 2008 at the age of 32 after a brilliant playing stint with Holland, Ajax, AC Milan, Newcastle, Barcelona, Valencia, PSV, and Lille. He then went into coaching.

He began his career as an assistant at Dutch club AZ prior to working as No. 2 at Brisbane Roar in Australia under now-Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou and NEC in Holland.

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