PSSI has finally announced the appointment of Patrick Kluivert as the new head coach of the Indonesian national football team. The Dutch coach replaces Shin Tae-yong with a contract valid until 2027. Additionally, Kluivert has the option for a two-year contract extension.
The announcement was made by PSSI through their official website (January 8), confirming that Kluivert will lead the Garuda squad for the coming years. During his coaching journey, he will be accompanied by Dutch assistant coaches Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat.
Who is He?
Patrick Kluivert, who has now been appointed as the head coach of the Indonesian national team, is a Dutch football legend. Throughout his playing career, he was known as a skilled striker who played for several top European clubs, including Ajax Amsterdam, AC Milan, Barcelona, CF Valencia, Newcastle United, PSV Eindhoven, and Lille.
After retiring from playing in 2008, Kluivert quickly transitioned to a coaching career. He began his coaching journey as an assistant coach at various teams, including AZ Alkmaar, NEC Nijmegen, and Brisbane Roar. Kluivert then became the head coach of Jong Twente and successfully led the youth team to a championship title.
He also worked as an assistant coach under Louis van Gaal for the Netherlands national team, which achieved third place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In 2015, Kluivert was entrusted with coaching the Curaçao national team in their attempt to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2017 Caribbean Cup.
His experience in football extends beyond the field. Kluivert has also served as the sporting director at major clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. Additionally, he contributed to the development of young players by coaching the Ajax A1 (U-19) team. His coaching career further expanded with his experience as an assistant to Clarence Seedorf at the Cameroon national team.
Vision for the 2026 World Cup
In a conversation with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Patrick Kluivert expressed great enthusiasm about the opportunity to lead the Garuda Squad to the 2026 World Cup. When Romano asked about his ambitions with the Indonesian national team, Kluivert firmly stated his desire to guide the Red and White team to compete in the prestigious tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Kluivert is also aware that, although Indonesia has never competed in the modern World Cup, the national team made history in 1938 when they qualified for the tournament while still under Dutch colonial rule. Kluivert's desire to coach the Indonesian national team grew stronger after seeing the number of Dutch naturalized players now playing in the Indonesian league.
Kluivert's Appointment: A Controversial Choice
The question of who would replace Shin Tae-yong as the head coach of the Indonesian national team had become a hot topic in the public. Finally, PSSI appointed Patrick Kluivert, the legendary former Dutch national team player, as the one to lead the Garuda squad.
Previously, on January 6, 2025, PSSI dismissed Shin Tae-yong despite his contract running until December 2027. This decision required PSSI to pay compensation worth billions to Shin Tae-yong.
The dismissal sparked mixed reactions, especially on social media, where many supporters expressed disappointment with the decision, particularly as the Indonesian national team was still fighting in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Regarding Kluivert's appointment, some have compared his achievements to those of Shin Tae-yong and even discussed Kluivert's past. However, during a press conference on January 6, 2025, PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir explained that Kluivert's selection was based on cultural and communication similarities, given that many players of the Indonesian national team have Dutch backgrounds.
