Unfulfilled dreams of the World Cup

The dismissal notice issued by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to coach Patrick Kluivert was simply a consequence that many fans had predicted beforehand.

Indonesian football's reform plan remains unfinished. (Photo: Reuters)

Indonesia's unique cultural background has led it to push forward with its naturalization policy. But the dream of participating in the World Cup seems to have taken PSSI President Erick Thohir a little too far.

When PSSI sacked coach Shin Tae Yong earlier this year, the football world wasn't too surprised. Coach Shin Tae Yong was too boisterous, rude, and lacked the proper conduct expected of a national team coach. But sacking him and then appointing former star player Patrick Kluivert as his replacement is a different matter entirely.

Unlike Shin Tae Yong, Coach Kluivert is polite, speaks little, and has good relationships with most of Indonesia's naturalized Dutch players. In terms of image, Coach Patrick Kluivert is truly ideal. His only weakness is... his coaching ability. In over 15 years since starting his coaching career, Kluivert hasn't achieved any significant success.

Asian football circles are all too familiar with figures like Kluivert. They create the illusion of success simply because of their impressive resumes and images. But the job of a national team head coach demands more than that. As someone with extensive experience in top-level football, President Erick Thohir is well-versed in such cases. But this time, he faces a historic milestone: leading Indonesia to qualify for the World Cup.

So Thohir and PSSI took a risky gamble. From the moment PSSI appointed Kluivert, the football world had foreseen this. They needed short-term success, specifically in the final stages of the World Cup qualifiers.

That short-term goal leaves no time for coaches with strong philosophies, nor any room for coaches with strong personalities. Indonesia needs someone with prestige, influence, and good relationships with key players of Dutch origin. In short, PSSI is doing everything for the short-term goal of qualifying for the World Cup.

But then they failed. And now, the reform of Indonesian football stands at a crossroads. Should they continue with the naturalization policy for the foreseeable future, or return to the systematic training program they once promised?

Either path is difficult. If they choose the naturalization route, PSSI will face difficulties from their own fans. A nation with nearly 300 million people has its pride. But if they choose to return to using local players, where will the naturalized stars go?

And right now, there's no guarantee that superstars like Kevin Diks, Idzes, Verdonk... will continue to give their all for Indonesia once the World Cup dream is gone.

FIFA's expansion of the World Cup has helped many footballing nations make breakthroughs, but it has also left many projects unfinished.

Indonesia sacks coach Kluivert.

Yesterday (October 16), the Indonesian Football Federation officially sacked coach Patrick Kluivert after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) announced: "We and the national team's coaching staff have officially agreed to terminate the contract prematurely through mutual agreement." The previous contract was for two years. According to CNN Indonesia, the decision was made after careful consideration by PSSI, especially after the Indonesian team's failure in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Not only Patrick Kluivert, but PSSI also terminated the contracts of other strategists in the coaching staff, including Gerald Vanenburg (U23 coach) and Frank van Kempen (U20 coach). This means that the entire Dutch coaching staff will no longer lead Indonesian national teams at any level.

PSSI expressed its gratitude for the contributions of Coach Kluivert and his staff during their time together. "We truly appreciate the contributions of all members of Coach Kluivert's coaching staff over the past period."

During his more than 10 months working with the Indonesian national team, coach Kluivert did not leave much of an impression. The former Dutch star only managed 3 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses in 8 official matches for Indonesia. The failure to achieve the goal of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup was the direct reason for PSSI's decision to dismiss Patrick Kluivert.

HUY DANG - THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dang-do-vi-giac-mo-world-cup-20251017103000516.htm