JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Former Dutch football player Patrick Kluivert has reportedly agreed to become the head coach of the Indonesian national football team, replacing Shin Tae-yong.

Renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news via his Instagram account on Monday (January 6), stating, “Here We Go! Patrick Kluivert will join as the new head coach of the Indonesian national team.”

Romano revealed that Kluivert has signed a two-year contract with the option to extend for an additional two years. The official presentation is scheduled for January 12, with Kluivert’s primary goal being to lead the team to qualify for the World Cup.

Patrick Kluivert, a former striker, has an illustrious career playing for top clubs like Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, and AC Milan. He retired as a player in 2004 with Lille in the French league. Post-retirement, Kluivert has held several coaching positions, including assistant coach for the Netherlands national team and academy director roles at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir confirmed Kluivert as one of the candidates to replace Shin Tae-yong. Erick shared details of the selection process, which included interviews with three potential coaches in Europe between December 25 and 30, 2024. Kluivert stood out during these interviews, conducted even on Christmas Day to assess the candidates’ commitment.

“One candidate who attended the interview on Christmas morning demonstrated exceptional dedication, which became a key factor in our decision,” Erick explained.

Kluivert is expected to arrive in Jakarta on January 11 and will assume his duties immediately after the official introduction on January 12 at 4 p.m. local time. Erick noted the emphasis on selecting a coach from Europe with a proven track record to elevate the national team’s performance.

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