In a recent statement to Indonesian media, Coach Shin Tae Yong expressed his hope that PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir and new coach Patrick Kluivert will achieve great success. He shared, “I hope Indonesian football can participate in the World Cup finals, and what I have built over the past five years does not fall apart. I wish everyone the best.”
Coach Shin Tae Yong sends best wishes to Coach Patrick Kluivert (Photo: Do Minh Quan).
This statement is seen as a farewell from Coach Shin Tae Yong to Indonesian football. In recent days, he has returned to Indonesia to complete formalities with PSSI. This marks the official end of his tenure.
The Power Transition
Coach Shin Tae Yong’s remarks are not just well-wishes but also a symbolic handing over of the Indonesian national team to Coach Patrick Kluivert. At the same time, he emphasized his full dedication to Indonesian football over the past five years, from late 2019 to the end of 2024.
Coach Patrick Kluivert (left) officially takes over the Indonesian national team (Photo: Getty).
On January 6th, PSSI decided to fire Coach Shin Tae Yong in the morning and announced Patrick Kluivert as the new coach just a few hours later. This change has sparked much debate in Indonesian football.
Patrick Kluivert’s Career
Patrick Kluivert is a legend of Dutch football. In his playing career, he represented the national team 79 times and scored 40 goals from 1994 to 2004. He also played for major clubs like Ajax Amsterdam, AC Milan, and Barcelona.
However, as a coach, Patrick Kluivert is considered less experienced compared to Coach Shin Tae Yong. PSSI’s decision to appoint him as the new coach is mainly driven by their “Dutchification” policy for the Indonesian national team.
Conclusion
Coach Shin Tae Yong has completed his mission in Indonesia and now places his hopes on Coach Patrick Kluivert. Whether or not Kluivert can lead the Indonesian national team to the World Cup remains a big question. Nonetheless, with support from PSSI and fans, Indonesian football may look toward a brighter future.
