Premier League cult hero who scored stunning goal against Arsenal joins Patrick Kluivert at Indonesia
Dutch hero Patrick Kluivert has announced the big plans he has in store after returning to the dugout on the international stage. Kluivert has been out of work since he departed Turkish club Adana Demirspor in December 2023. Kluivert has secured a return to the dugoutAFP The father of Bournemouth star Justin has now become the next head coach of Indonesia and was officially unveiled on January 12. Kluivert Sr. has signed an initial two-year deal with the option for a further two years, as the world No. 127 looks to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Kluivert has brought in Dutch compatriots Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat as his assistant. The latter is best known by Premier League fans for his two-year stint at Wigan Athletic, the highlight of which was his stunning 35-yard strike against Arsenal in February 2007. “We’re fully aware that we are preparing for four matches, each of them crucial, and our goal is to secure the outcomes we desire,” Kluivert said during a press conference held in Jakarta. He added: “Results and impact are our top priorities.” Kluivert takes over after the PSSI, Indonesian football’s governing body, surprised everyone by sacking Shin Tae-Young. Shin had led Indonesia to the third round of qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with the country’s only appearance at the FIFA tournament coming under Dutch colonial rule in 1938. “We see the need for a leader who is better able to implement the strategies agreed upon by the players, and who has better communication,” PSSI chairman Erick Thohir said. “Correspondence regarding the end of our relationship has been received [by Shin] and I would like to express my gratitude. Kluivert has brought fellow former Dutch international Landzaat [right] as his assistantAFP View Tweet: https://twitter.com/hashtag/wafc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw “We have also found a replacement, who will arrive on the 11th [of January]. A news conference will be held on the 12th.” Shin departed the role with Indonesia sitting third in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. Japan lies first in the group on 16 points while Australia is second on seven points, with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China are all tied on six. The top two teams in the group automatically qualify for the World Cup, which is to be jointly held by the United States, Canada and Mexico. For the nations that come third and fourth, they will go to the fourth round of qualifying, which Indonesia haven’t been part of since 1938. “To reach this goal [of reaching the World Cup], we all need to channel our collective willpower. Unity is essential; everyone must rally behind the team,” Kluivert added. Thohir announced the shock exit of Shin Tae-Young despite Indonesia being in the hunt for automatic World Cup qualificationAFP Nations are split into two groups of three, with the top-placed country qualifying for the World Cup and the second-placed team going to the fifth round of qualifying, which comprises a two-legged contest. The winner of that advances to an inter-confederation play-off to seal a spot at the World Cup. Kluivert’s first game in charge is a daunting trip away to Australia, who have featured in every World Cup since 2006, on March 20. The Indonesia role represents Kluivert’s second on the international stage having spent a total of 14 games in charge of Curacao. Kluivert first led the Dutch Caribbean island from March 2015 to June 2016, winning three of his eight games in charge. The 48-year-old returned in June 2021 for a six-game caretaker stint but managed one win in that spell. Kluivert returns to management after a year away from the dugout Kluivert landed his first senior managerial gig in July 2023 with Adana Demirspor and had the likes of Mario Balotelli and M’Baye Niang in the squad. Adana Demirspor enjoyed a bright start to the 2023/24 Turkish Super Lig season, winning six of their opening ten league fixtures. However, the early season form quickly deserted Kluivert’s side. The Turkish club brutally wielded the axe on Kluivert after a four-game winless streak on December 4 as a 3-2 loss to Samsunspor proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Patrick Kluivert's managerial career in numbers FC Twente Under-21s (August ’11 – May ’13): 46 games played, 25 wins, eight draws, 13 losses Curacao (April ’15 – June ’16): Eight games played, three wins, two draws, three losses Curacao caretaker (May ’21 – October ’21): Six games played, one win, two draws, three losses Adana Demirspor (July ’23 – December ’23): 20 games played, eight wins, six draws, six losses
Dutch hero Patrick Kluivert has announced the big plans he has in store after returning to the dugout on the international stage.
Kluivert has been out of work since he departed Turkish club Adana Demirspor in December 2023.
The father of Bournemouth star Justin has now become the next head coach of Indonesia and was officially unveiled on January 12.
Kluivert Sr. has signed an initial two-year deal with the option for a further two years, as the world No. 127 looks to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Kluivert has brought in Dutch compatriots Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat as his assistant.
The latter is best known by Premier League fans for his two-year stint at Wigan Athletic, the highlight of which was his stunning 35-yard strike against Arsenal in February 2007.
“We’re fully aware that we are preparing for four matches, each of them crucial, and our goal is to secure the outcomes we desire,” Kluivert said during a press conference held in Jakarta.
He added: “Results and impact are our top priorities.”
Kluivert takes over after the PSSI, Indonesian football’s governing body, surprised everyone by sacking Shin Tae-Young.
Shin had led Indonesia to the third round of qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with the country’s only appearance at the FIFA tournament coming under Dutch colonial rule in 1938.
“We see the need for a leader who is better able to implement the strategies agreed upon by the players, and who has better communication,” PSSI chairman Erick Thohir said.
“Correspondence regarding the end of our relationship has been received [by Shin] and I would like to express my gratitude.
“We have also found a replacement, who will arrive on the 11th [of January]. A news conference will be held on the 12th.”
Shin departed the role with Indonesia sitting third in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Japan lies first in the group on 16 points while Australia is second on seven points, with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China are all tied on six.
The top two teams in the group automatically qualify for the World Cup, which is to be jointly held by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
For the nations that come third and fourth, they will go to the fourth round of qualifying, which Indonesia haven’t been part of since 1938.
“To reach this goal [of reaching the World Cup], we all need to channel our collective willpower. Unity is essential; everyone must rally behind the team,” Kluivert added.
Nations are split into two groups of three, with the top-placed country qualifying for the World Cup and the second-placed team going to the fifth round of qualifying, which comprises a two-legged contest.
The winner of that advances to an inter-confederation play-off to seal a spot at the World Cup.
Kluivert’s first game in charge is a daunting trip away to Australia, who have featured in every World Cup since 2006, on March 20.
The Indonesia role represents Kluivert’s second on the international stage having spent a total of 14 games in charge of Curacao.
Kluivert first led the Dutch Caribbean island from March 2015 to June 2016, winning three of his eight games in charge.
The 48-year-old returned in June 2021 for a six-game caretaker stint but managed one win in that spell.
Kluivert landed his first senior managerial gig in July 2023 with Adana Demirspor and had the likes of Mario Balotelli and M’Baye Niang in the squad.
Adana Demirspor enjoyed a bright start to the 2023/24 Turkish Super Lig season, winning six of their opening ten league fixtures.
However, the early season form quickly deserted Kluivert’s side.
The Turkish club brutally wielded the axe on Kluivert after a four-game winless streak on December 4 as a 3-2 loss to Samsunspor proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Patrick Kluivert's managerial career in numbers
FC Twente Under-21s (August ’11 – May ’13): 46 games played, 25 wins, eight draws, 13 losses
Curacao (April ’15 – June ’16): Eight games played, three wins, two draws, three losses
Curacao caretaker (May ’21 – October ’21): Six games played, one win, two draws, three losses
Adana Demirspor (July ’23 – December ’23): 20 games played, eight wins, six draws, six losses
