Is coach Patrick Kluivert about to leave the Indonesian national team?

TPO - After the Indonesian national team concluded their journey in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, coach Patrick Kluivert posted an emotional message on his personal page. The Dutch strategist took full responsibility and expressed his deep gratitude to the fans for always supporting the team.

Báo Tiền Phong•14/10/2025

The Indonesian national team failed to spring a surprise in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, suffering two consecutive defeats against Saudi Arabia and Iraq, thus officially ending their dream of participating in the biggest football event on the planet next summer.

After the tournament concluded, coach Patrick Kluivert shared his heartfelt thoughts on social media. The Dutch strategist admitted his disappointment at not being able to help Indonesia advance further.

“I feel the pain and disappointment just like you. The defeats against Saudi Arabia and Iraq are bitter lessons, but they also remind us of the height of the dream we all pursue. As head coach, I take full responsibility.”

Coach Kluivert also expressed his pride in the team he has led: “We fought with heart, discipline, and unity. Every day, this team strives to grow, learn, and compete with pride representing the country. We have worked tirelessly to unite the players, both domestic and international, into a single family.”

"Although we couldn't qualify for the 2026 World Cup, what we've achieved is a foundation to continue building on, with the belief that Indonesia deserves to be on the biggest stage," the former Dutch football legend emphasized.

Appointed earlier this year to replace coach Shin Tae-yong, Kluivert had a rocky start when Indonesia suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat against Australia. However, he quickly helped the team revive with two crucial victories against Bahrain and China, securing a place in the fourth qualifying round, a historic achievement for Indonesian football.

Prior to this round, the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) invested heavily, recruiting many naturalized players from the Netherlands with the goal of realizing their World Cup dream. However, two defeats against Saudi Arabia and Iraq shattered all their efforts.

After the national team missed out on the World Cup, Indonesian public opinion and media unanimously called on PSSI to reconsider the future of coach Kluivert and even hoped for the return of Shin Tae Yong.

According to the contract, Kluivert is committed to Indonesia until January 2027 with a salary of approximately $1 million per year, with an option to extend for another year. Currently, PSSI has not yet made an official announcement regarding his future.