Key Takeaways
- Patrick Kluivert has been appointed as the new head coach of Indonesia’s national football team.
- Kluivert’s target is to qualify Indonesia for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- He will be supported by Dutch assistants Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat, as well as two Indonesian coaches.
Jakarta: Indonesia officially named Patrick Kluivert as the new head coach of the country’s national football team here on Sunday.
The 48-year-old Dutchman arrived in Indonesia’s capital on Saturday evening, where he was greeted by throngs of fans at the airport. Speaking to the media, Kluivert shared his excitement about leading Indonesia and acknowledged the fans’ high expectations, as the country seeks to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Kluivert’s first match in charge will be on March 20, when Indonesia faces Australia in Sydney in a World Cup qualifier. Indonesia has four matches remaining in the qualification phase. They currently rank third out of six teams in Group C, just one point behind second-placed Australia.
“I’m a person who likes pressure,” Kluivert said, emphasizing the importance of achieving immediate results by describing the upcoming matches as “four finals” that must be won. “The first part is impact and results,” he added.
As a player, Kluivert was renowned as a prolific striker, with successful spells at Ajax and Barcelona. He also played 79 times and scored 40 goals for the Netherlands, for whom he featured at four major tournaments, including the 1998 World Cup, where the team finished in fourth place.
Kluivert will be supported by Dutch assistants Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat, as well as two Indonesian coaches. He has signed a contract until 2027, with the target of qualifying Indonesia for the 2026 World Cup.
