Patrick Kluivert has left his position as head coach of Indonesia after a mutual agreement with the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) brought his short tenure to an abrupt end. The decision follows the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Indonesia’s qualifying campaign came to a disappointing conclusion after back-to-back defeats to Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the past week. The losses eliminated any chance of reaching next year’s finals in North America and prompted a full review of the national team’s progress.
Kluivert, 49, was only appointed in January on a two-year contract, with the objective of guiding Indonesia to what would have been their first World Cup appearance since independence in 1945. However, his spell in charge lasted just eight matches, producing a mixed record:
His appointment came after the controversial dismissal of South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong, and optimism was initially high given Kluivert’s pedigree as a former Netherlands international and Barcelona striker.
In a statement, the PSSI confirmed the decision:
“This step was taken as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the national football coaching and development programme.”
They added that the separation was a mutual termination, though no successor has yet been named.
Kluivert addressed his departure on Instagram, expressing pride despite failing to achieve the main objective:
“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. It was an unforgettable journey.”
A legendary player—best known for winning the Champions League with Ajax before starring for AC Milan and Barcelona—Kluivert has yet to replicate that success in management.
His recent coaching history includes:
Despite his high profile, his managerial career has been inconsistent, and his exit from Indonesia adds another brief chapter to his coaching journey.
The PSSI is expected to announce a replacement in the coming weeks as Indonesia begins planning for future continental competitions and long-term development.
