Indonesia Parts Ways with Patrick Kluivert After World Cup Qualification Failure

Indonesia has parted company with head coach Patrick Kluivert following the national team’s failure to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup in North America.

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) confirmed on Thursday that Kluivert’s exit was by mutual agreement, describing it as part of a “comprehensive evaluation” of its national football development programme.

The 49-year-old Dutchman, who was appointed in January on a two-year contract, managed just eight matches — winning three, losing four, and drawing one.

Indonesia’s qualification hopes ended after back-to-back defeats to Iraq and Saudi Arabia last week.

In a statement on Instagram, the former Barcelona and Netherlands forward described his time in charge as “an unforgettable journey,” adding:

“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.”

Kluivert succeeded South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong, whose dismissal earlier in the year had drawn criticism.

A Champions League winner with Ajax, Kluivert enjoyed an illustrious playing career that also included spells with AC Milan and Barcelona, before retiring in 2008. His managerial career, however, has been less remarkable — with his previous role at Adana Demirspor in Turkey lasting only five months in 2023.

The PSSI has yet to announce who will replace him as head coach.