Patrick Kluivert is set to begin his role as head coach of the Indonesia men’s national soccer team, and it is anticipated that he will not have much of a cultural adjustment, given the connection many players have to the Netherlands, where Kluivert achieved fame as a striker. The increasing trend of players gaining Indonesian citizenship through familial ties has significantly influenced the appointment of the former star from Barcelona and Ajax by the Indonesian Football Association, commonly known as PSSI.
Indonesia has a long-standing relationship with the Netherlands that dates back several centuries, particularly after Indonesia declared independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945. Kluivert, 48, was announced as the new head coach on Wednesday, taking over from Shin Tae-yong, the South Korean coach who was controversially let go just two days prior.
During Shin’s tenure, starting in 2020, Indonesia experienced notable achievements, including a potential chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup—an event they last attended in 1938 as the Dutch East Indies. With just four games remaining in the Asian qualification’s third round, Indonesia currently holds the third position in a six-team group, merely one point behind second-place Australia. The two top teams from each group secure automatic qualification, while those in third and fourth positions will progress to the next Asian stage.
Shin’s success, which included guiding the team to the knockout stages of the Asian Cup for the first time last January, made him a favored figure among Indonesian fans. Joko Widodo, who served as the President of Indonesia during most of Shin’s coaching years, expressed appreciation for Shin’s character and interpersonal skills, stating his affection for Shin while acknowledging the PSSI’s decision was ultimately beyond his control.
However, Shin’s dismissal drew criticism from his son, Shin Jae-won, a professional player in South Korea, who questioned the timing of the decision given the national team’s progression in FIFA rankings and their current standing in World Cup qualifiers. Although the team has improved its results, concerns have been raised regarding the alteration in its character and identity, especially after a celebrated victory against Saudi Arabia, despite many starting players being naturalized.
With aspirations to naturalize more players from the Netherlands, PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir believes Kluivert’s background will better resonate with the team, facilitating smoother communication and improved implementation of strategies. Thohir emphasized the need for a leader who can effectively convey messages to the players.
The ultimate measure of Kluivert’s hiring will be determined by on-field results. He will face Australia in a crucial qualifier on March 20, followed by a home match against Bahrain on March 25. The qualification round will conclude in June with matches against China and Japan, the group leader.
Former national team striker Greg Nwokolo voiced his hope that Kluivert’s appointment would yield positive results, pointing out that while Japan may be a formidable team, the recent win over Saudi Arabia could serve as a catalyst for success. He underscored the pressure on Kluivert to bring favorable outcomes, suggesting that the PSSI would receive acclaim if the new coach succeeds but risks derailing dreams if he does not.
Kluivert boasts an impressive playing history, having won the Champions League with Ajax, along with prior coaching experience leading Curacao. He also served as an assistant coach to Louis van Gaal for the Netherlands and Clarence Seedorf in Cameroon. Kluivert is expected to arrive in Jakarta on Saturday, with plans for an official introduction on Sunday. PSSI has announced that his contract will run through 2025-27, with an option for further extension.
