Coach Kluivert seen as 'puppet' in Indonesia national football team

Coach Patrick Kluivert (in suit) and assistant Alex Pastoor (L) during the match between Indonesia and Australia in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, at the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on March 20, 2025. Photo by AFP

Footage and online commentary have fueled growing speculation that Kluivert is only the face of the national team, with real coaching responsibilities belonging to his assistants.

During a break in the match in Sydney on March 20, as players gathered on the sidelines to hydrate and receive tactical instructions, the Dutch coach stood silently, dressed in a suit, resting his chin on his hand and staring at the field. Meanwhile, his assistants, Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat, were actively communicating with the players, gesturing and giving directions.

A video captured by an Indonesian fan at the stadium quickly went viral on X and TikTok, garnering millions of views.

"What is the man in the suit doing in this situation?" a user posted on X alongside the clip.

Another account replied: "Kluivert is just a puppet, an image in the media. Pastoor is the real coach of Indonesia."

These sentiments are not limited to fans. Dutch football experts have been voicing similar concerns since Kluivert's appointment by the Football Association of Indonesial (PSSI) on Jan. 6, 2025, replacing his Korean predecessor Shin Tae-yong. Just two days later, on "Voetbalpraat", a show on ESPN NL, analysts debated who was truly in charge of Indonesia national team.

Host Wouter Bouwman asked: "Can we secretly agree that Pastoor is the coach of the Indonesia national team? I know PSSI doesn’t officially say it, but that’s the reality."

Former Dutch defender Kees Luijckx responded: "Kluivert has coaching experience, but it’s inconsistent. I don’t mean to disrespect him, but I don’t see him as a professional head coach and more of an assistant. He’s a leader without real power. Pastoor and Landzaat are the ones doing the real coaching."

His opinion was echoed by other Dutch experts, including former national footballer Marciano Vink and journalist Sjoerd Mossou.

Kluivert, 48, is a legendary figure in European football, having won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995 and finishing as top scorer at Euro 2000. However, his coaching career has been more modest. He previously managed the Curacao national team for 18 matches across two stints (2015–2016, 2021) and briefly led Adana Demirspor in Turkey for five months in 2023.

In contrast, Pastoor, 58, though less renowned as a player, has a more extensive coaching resume. He previously managed clubs like Slavia Prague, Sparta Rotterdam and most recently Almere City in the Eredivisie (2022–2024). He also helped Sparta win the Dutch second division title and earn promotion to the first division.

Indonesia will play their next World Cup qualification game against Bahrain on Thursday. They aim for a victory to second a third or fourth position in the group.