In an exciting development for Indonesian Football, 48-year-old Dutch soccer icon Patrick Kluivert has officially taken charge of the national team, propelling it in its quest for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Currently third in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers, the Indonesian team is still very much in contention, making this appointment crucial at this time.
According to a statement released by the Indonesia Football Federation, Kluivert has signed a two-year contract running from 2025 to 2027, with an option to extend. This demonstrates a significant commitment to revitalize the team’s competitiveness.
Kluivert’s move to team management came quickly after his retirement as a player in 2008. Born July 1, 1976 in Amsterdam, he began his coaching career as an assistant at AZ Alkmaar before working at NEC Nijmegen and Brisbane Roar. He then took the reins of Jong Twente, leading them to championship glory.
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His coaching credentials were strengthened during his tenure as Louis van Gaal’s assistant with the Netherlands national team, which achieved third place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Subsequently, Kluivert took up the position of head coach of the Curaçao national team, working during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and the 2017 Caribbean Nations Cup.
-Most recently, he managed Adana Demirspor in Turkey for five months in 2023, after serving as caretaker coach for Curacao in 2021. These varied experiences equip Kluivert with a much broader perspective as he approaches this new challenge.
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Looking ahead, Indonesia’s next outing in the AFC Asian Qualifiers will see them face Australia – a critical clash as they find themselves just one point behind the Socceroos who currently occupy second place. The match is scheduled for March and is vital for both teams fighting for a place in this prestigious tournament.
The change of coach follows the termination of Shin Tae-yong’s contract, announced by the country’s football federation (PSSI) on Monday. Shin had been in charge since December 2019 and had signed an extension until 2027 just six months ago, but with Indonesia languishing in third place in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers, the federation opted for a new management.
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