Indonesia’s head coach, Patrick Kluivert, has parted ways with the national team after a mutual agreement was reached following their unsuccessful bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Kluivert, a former Netherlands and Barcelona football legend, was only in charge of the Indonesian team for eight matches, and his tenure ended on a sour note as Indonesia failed to make it to the global tournament next year.
The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) made the announcement, stating that both parties had come to an agreement to terminate their working relationship. This decision came after Indonesia suffered two consecutive defeats, to Iraq and Saudi Arabia, which sealed their fate in the World Cup qualifiers.
Kluivert, who took over as coach in January 2025, had been tasked with leading Indonesia to their first World Cup appearance since gaining independence in 1945. However, despite high expectations, the team’s performance under Kluivert’s leadership fell short, as they secured just three victories, alongside four losses and one draw.
The Dutch coach’s time with the Indonesian national team was marked by a challenging start and difficult results. Kluivert’s spell followed the controversial sacking of South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong, and it was hoped he could bring a fresh approach to the team. However, the failure to secure World Cup qualification in the Asian qualifiers proved to be the breaking point.
Kluivert, who had a distinguished playing career that included stints at Ajax, AC Milan, and Barcelona, has not replicated that success as a manager. Before taking the Indonesian job, he had brief managerial spells, including a five-month stint at Turkish club Adana Demirspor in 2023. His previous coaching experience also included a short period as the caretaker manager of Curacao in 2021.
Despite his coaching struggles, Kluivert’s legacy as a player remains significant, having been part of the famous Ajax team that won the 1995 UEFA Champions League and a key player for Barcelona during his time at the club. However, his managerial career has not yet lived up to the same heights, and the PSSI will now search for his successor to guide the team through the next phase of their football development.
While the statement from the Indonesian Football Association did not specify a replacement for Kluivert, it did emphasize that the decision was part of a broader review of the national team’s football coaching and development program.