Indonesia appointed Patrick Kluivert on a two-year contract in January to boost their hopes of competing in next year’s World Cup.
Published October 16, 2025
Patrick Kluivert’s tenure as Indonesia’s national team coach will end in just nine months after both sides have “mutually” agreed to part ways following the failure of their bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Indonesia lost to Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the fourth round of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifying last week, ending their hopes of qualifying for next year’s North American tournament.
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The former Netherlands international and Barcelona forward only took over in January on a two-year contract midway through the Indonesian qualifying campaign, making eight appearances.
The 49-year-old won three of his matches, lost four and drew one.
In an Instagram post, Kluivert described his term as an “unforgettable journey.”
He added: “The fact that we missed out on the World Cup is extremely disappointing and sorry, but I will always be proud of what we have built together.”
“The losses to Saudi Arabia and Iraq were a bitter lesson, but they also reminded us how lofty the dreams we share are. As head coach, I take full responsibility.”
Kluivert, 49, replaced South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong as the Indonesian federation strengthens its policy of naturalizing players of Indonesian descent from Europe. The program enabled the team to advance to the final stage of qualifying for the first time since 1938, when they entered the World Cup as the Dutch East Indies.
Of Kluivert’s final roster of 23 members, most were born overseas, primarily in the Netherlands. However, performance did not improve noticeably under the new coaching setting.
The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) said Kluivert’s departure was due to “mutual termination of contract”.
“This action was taken as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the country’s football coaching and development programmes,” it added.
The statement did not name Kluivert’s successor.
Born in Amsterdam, Kluivert enjoyed a glittering career with Champions League-winning Ajax, before moving to AC Milan and Barcelona before retiring as a player in 2008.
Kluivert’s career as a director was not all that spectacular.
His previous coaching job was with Adana Demirspor in Turkiye for five months in 2023.
Previously, in 2021, he served as interim manager of Curacao.
From 2012 to 2014, he was Louis van Gaal’s number two for the Dutch national team.
