Soccer
Former Barcelona star takes charge of Indonesia national team
With spells at Ajax, AC Milan and Barcelona during his playing career, Patrick Kluivert was one of the most prominent strikers of his generation.
The Indonesian national team may be ranked 127th in the world but they have still managed to bring in big name as head coach. Patrick Kluivert represented the likes of Ajax, AC Milan and Barcelona during his illustrious playing career but he’s moved from Europe to pursue his coaching career.
Kluivert has reportedly signed a deal to take charge of Indonesia, with his presentation set for January 12. The 48-year-old has been given a two year contract with the option of an additional two, providing that he can deliver with the Pasukan Garuda.
The Dutchman’s playing career was played exclusively in the top European leagues, with spells in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, England and France. In stark contrast, as a head coach he has led the Curaçao national team and Turkish side Adana Demirspor before taking charge of Indonesia.
He was sacked from his most recent role in Turkey after a run of just one win in six games, despite boasting the likes of Mario Balotelli, Nani and M’Baye Niang in the squad. Nevertheless Kluivert has been a vocal supporter of given young players opportunities, having taken his first steps in the professional game with the iconic Ajax team of the mid-1990s. He famously scored, aged just 18, in the 1996 Champions League final and has promised to focus on youth whenever possible.
In 2019, upon taking a coaching role in Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Kluivert said: “It’s essential for the first team to have home grown young players. Myself and those responsible for youth football have to search for the diamonds and work with them. We have to give everyone the same chance to be a success.”
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