The Indonesian Football Association has officially sacked head coach Patrick Kluivert following the national team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing an abrupt end to the Dutchman’s tenure.
Kluivert, appointed just over a year ago, was tasked with guiding Indonesia to its first-ever World Cup appearance. However, the team’s campaign ended in disappointment after a crucial qualifying defeat left them short of the play-off stage.
In a statement released Thursday, the federation said the decision was made after “a comprehensive review of the team’s performance and future direction,” thanking Kluivert for his service but emphasising the need for “a new vision to elevate Indonesian football.”
In the statement issued today, the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) stated that Patrick Kluivert had left the team “by mutual termination.”
“This step was taken as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the national football coaching and development programme,” it added.
Despite early signs of progress—including improved attacking play and a string of strong performances in the Asian qualifiers—Kluivert faced mounting criticism from fans and the media over inconsistent results and tactical decisions in key matches.
While reacting to his sacking in a post shared on his Instagram page, Kluivert called it “an unforgettable journey” and also stated that he is not happy that the team did not qualify for the World Cup.
He added, “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.”
The former Barcelona and Netherlands striker, who previously managed the Curaçao national team and served as an assistant at several European clubs, has not provided further comment beyond his Instagram post.
Federation sources say an interim coach will be appointed ahead of Indonesia’s upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers, with a full-time replacement expected to be named before the end of the year.
