Patrick Kluivert ends his tenure as Indonesia’s coach after failing to secure World Cup qualification. Photo Credit: AFP
Former Netherlands and Barcelona star Patrick Kluivert has stepped down as head coach of Indonesia’s national football team, following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) announced on Thursday that both parties had mutually agreed to terminate Kluivert’s contract after a series of disappointing results that ended Indonesia’s qualification hopes.
Indonesia suffered crucial defeats to Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the final rounds of qualifiers, bringing an end to what Kluivert described as “an unforgettable journey.”
The 49-year-old tactician, who was appointed in January 2025, managed only eight matches, recording three wins, one draw, and four losses.
In a post on Instagram, Kluivert expressed pride in his team’s progress despite the setback:
“Even though I’m deeply disappointed and sorry for the fact that we didn’t make it to the World Cup, I’ll always be proud of what we built together.”
Kluivert’s appointment came after the controversial dismissal of South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong, with high expectations that he could lead Indonesia to its first-ever World Cup appearance since independence in 1945.
The PSSI said Kluivert’s exit followed a “comprehensive evaluation of the national football coaching and development programme,” though no replacement has been announced.
A product of Ajax’s famed academy, Amsterdam-born Kluivert enjoyed a glittering playing career, winning the Champions League with Ajax before stints at AC Milan and Barcelona.
However, his coaching career has been more modest, including short managerial spells with Curacao (2021) and Adana Demirspor (2023), and a stint as assistant coach to Louis van Gaal with the Dutch national team between 2012 and 2014.
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