Indonesia, Kluivert part ways after World Cup dream ends

Patrick Kluivert’s stint as Indonesia coach is over after they “mutually” agreed to part ways Thursday following a failed bid to reach the World Cup.

Indonesia’s hopes of qualifying for the tournament in North America next year ended with defeats to Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the past week.

The 49-year-old Netherlands and Barcelona great, who was only appointed in January, was in charge for just eight matches.

“The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and the coaching team of the Indonesia national team have officially agreed for early termination of cooperation through mutual termination,” the association said in a statement.

“This step was taken as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the national football coaching and development programme.”

The statement did not name Kluivert’s successor.

The former striker signed a two-year contract in January, tasked with taking Indonesia to their first World Cup since gaining independence in 1945.

The Dutchman took over following the controversial sacking of South Korean Shin Tae-yong.

But he won only three of his games in charge, losing four and drawing one.

Amsterdam-born Kluivert retired as a player in 2008 after a stellar career that started at Ajax, where he won the Champions League, before moves to AC Milan and Barcelona.

Kluivert’s managerial career has not been nearly as spectacular.

His previous coaching role was in charge of Adana Demirspor in Turkey for five months in 2023.

Before that he was caretaker manager of Curacao in 2021.

He was also number two to Louis van Gaal with the Dutch national side in 2012-2014.