The Indonesian Football Federation has appointed former Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert as the head coach of the national football team.
The 48-year-old Dutchman will be tasked with guiding Indonesia to their first World Cup appearance since 1938, a time when the country was still under Dutch colonial rule.
Kluivert’s appointment comes after the controversial dismissal of South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong, who led Indonesia to the decisive third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
While some fans have expressed disappointment with the decision to appoint Kluivert, the Indonesian FA believes the former Dutch international possesses the necessary experience and expertise to lead the team to success.
Kluivert’s managerial career has seen mixed results, but his illustrious playing career, which included a Champions League title with Ajax and a successful stint at Barcelona, provides a strong foundation for his new role.
Indonesia’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup remain alive. They are currently third in Group C of Asian qualifiers, with one win and three draws from six games. The top two teams in the group secure automatic qualification, while the third and fourth-placed teams enter another round of qualifiers.
Indonesia faces a crucial match against Australia in March as they continue their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
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