Partick Kluivert Introduced As Indonesia's New National Football Coach

JAKARTA, Jan 12 (Bernama-dpa) -- Former Netherlands football star Patrick Kluivert was introduced to Indonesian fans on Sunday, after arriving in the country a day earlier to begin his new role as the head coach of Indonesia's national team, reported German news agency dpa.

Kluivert's appointment was announced on Wednesday, following the Indonesian Football Association's (PSSI) decision two days earlier to sack South Korean coach Shin Tae Yong.

The former Ajax Amsterdam striker has been hired to serve as head coach from 2025 to 2027, with the possibility of an extension. 

"My primary target in the first two years is to qualify for the World Cup and to get four points from the two upcoming matches," Kluivert told reporters at a press conference. 

Indonesia is in the third round of the Group C qualifier matches for the 2026 World Cup and will play an away match against Australia on March 20 and a home match against Bahrain on March 25 in Jakarta. 

Kluivert said he has a four-year plan and stressed that the most important part of it is to show results and have some impact. 

"My team and I are very committed to achieving that goal," he said. 

Kluivert will have two Dutch assistants, Denny Landzaat and Alex Pastoor. 

Kluivert said he is confident that all players in the team, whether home-grown or naturalised, can adapt to his coaching style if there is a good communication exchange between him and the players. 

The squad has at least 14 naturalised players mostly from the Netherlands, who have Indonesian blood, and another three diaspora players are in the process of being naturalised.  

-- BERNAMA-dpa