Former Dutch football star Patrick Kluivert has agreed to a two-year contract as Indonesia's head coach, with the possibility of a two-year extension. Kluivert will be officially introduced on January 12 in Jakarta. The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has entrusted the 48-year-old with the mission of achieving a historic World Cup qualification.
This announcement follows Indonesia's decision to part ways with coach Shin Tae-yong, who served for nearly five years. Despite his contract renewal in April 2024, valid until 2027, PSSI president Erick Thohir stated that the decision was mutual and unrelated to Indonesia's disappointing group-stage exit at the 2024 ASEAN Cup.
Kluivert's appointment showed Indonesia's commitment to a 'Dutchification' strategy, which includes naturalizing Dutch-Indonesian players to strengthen the squad.
This policy has yielded initial success, with Indonesia reaching the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia for the first time. The team is currently third in Group C, competing against powerhouses like Japan, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.
European media reported that PSSI considered both Patrick Kluivert and Louis van Gaal for the position. While Kluivert lacks extensive managerial experience compared to Van Gaal, his Surinamese roots and cultural ties to Indonesia made him a compelling choice.
Suriname, a country in South America, was a former Dutch colony. Many Surinamese have Javanese and Indonesian ancestry due to migrations in the 19th and 20th centuries. This connection makes Kluivert a beloved figure in Indonesia, not just for his football achievements but also for his shared heritage.
Kluivert is widely regarded as one of Europe's best strikers in the 1990s and early 2000s. Known for his clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and technical skills, he won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995 and La Liga with Barcelona in 1999. He also played for famous clubs like AC Milan, Newcastle United, LOSC Lille, Valencia, and PSV.
Kluivert earned 79 caps for the Netherlands, netting 40 goals internationally. He helped the team reach the semifinals of the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, where he was the tournament's top scorer with five goals.
After retiring, Kluivert took on several prominent roles, including serving as assistant coach for the Netherlands from 2012 to 2014, football director at PSG from 2016 to 2017, and advisor to various football academies.