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A New Era for Indonesian Football
Legendary Dutch footballer Patrick Kluivert has been unveiled as the new head coach of Indonesia’s national team, with an ambitious goal to lead the nation to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The former Barcelona and AC Milan striker succeeds South Korean Shin Tae-yong, who was dismissed earlier this week amid calls for stronger leadership by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).
Kluivert, 48, brings a wealth of experience from his illustrious playing career and various coaching stints. At a press conference in Jakarta, he expressed optimism about Indonesia’s prospects, saying, “From the first two games, I would love to secure at least four points. The focus will be on results and building momentum.”
The Road to North America
Indonesia currently sits third in Group C of the Asian qualifiers, trailing leaders Japan and second-placed Australia. With only the top two teams earning automatic spots in the 2026 World Cup, the stakes are high. Kluivert’s debut match as head coach will be a crucial away game against Australia on 20 March, followed by a home clash against Bahrain five days later.
“Our system will likely be a 4-3-3, but flexibility is key,” Kluivert noted. “The players need to understand how to adapt to different moments during the game.”
Indonesia’s lone World Cup appearance was in 1938, when the nation competed as the Dutch East Indies under colonial rule. Today, hopes are buoyed by the team’s recent resurgence, driven by Dutch-born players who have naturalized to represent their ancestral homeland.
A Stellar Legacy with Fresh Challenges
Kluivert’s playing career includes a La Liga title with Barcelona in 1999 and 40 goals in 79 international appearances for the Netherlands. His coaching journey, however, has been less decorated. Past roles include assistant coach positions with the Netherlands and Australia, as well as brief head coaching tenures with Curaçao and Turkish club Adana Demirspor.
Despite this, the PSSI is confident in his ability to lead Indonesia to success. “We need a leader who can implement strategies effectively and foster strong communication with the team,” said Erick Thohir, PSSI Chief.
Eyes on the Prize
Kluivert’s two-year contract, running through 2027, reflects a commitment to long-term development, with an option for renewal. Assisting him are fellow Dutchmen Denny Landzaat and Alex Pastoor, who bring additional expertise to the coaching staff.
The pressure is on as Indonesia prepares for a critical phase in its World Cup qualification campaign. With a squad strengthened by naturalized players and a coach of Kluivert’s pedigree, fans are hopeful this could be the moment their team returns to football’s biggest stage.
“This is about unity, hard work, and belief,” Kluivert said. “Together, we can achieve something extraordinary.”
The countdown to March has begun, and all eyes will be on the Garuda squad as they aim to make history.
