PSSI fires Kluivert, Vietnamese media exposes 4 candidates for new coach of Indonesian National Team.
Source: **Between**
The position of the Indonesian National Team coach has become a hot topic again after PSSI terminated Patrick Kluivert's contract. This PSSI decision opens a new chapter: who will replace Kluivert to lead the Garuda in facing the upcoming challenges?
Not only the domestic public is paying attention. International media, including from Vietnam, are also highlighting this development. They spotlighted PSSI's swift steps to find a replacement for Kluivert.
Vietnamese sports media outlet, The Thao 247, wrote a special report on this situation. According to their report, PSSI moved quickly after the Indonesian National Team's failure to reach the final round of the 2026 World Cup.
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“Indonesia is finalizing the top four candidates to lead the national team,” wrote The Thao 247 on Friday, October 17, 2025.
In their report, they revealed the reasons behind the decision.
“After two consecutive defeats in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) officially terminated Patrick Kluivert's contract and is considering four potential candidates to fill the hot seat.”
Interestingly, all candidates are coaches currently working or who have had careers in Indonesian football competitions.
Bojan Hodak and Bernardo Tavares as Favorites
Of the four names mentioned by the Vietnamese media, two candidates are considered the strongest. They are Bojan Hodak (Persib Bandung) and Bernardo Tavares (former PSM Makassar coach).
These two coaches indeed have a track record of leading their teams to championships. Bojan Hodak successfully led Persib Bandung to become domestic league champions for two consecutive seasons.
Meanwhile, Bernardo Tavares, known for his pragmatic tactics, once guided PSM Makassar to become domestic league champions.
Both not only understand the atmosphere of Indonesian competition but also have the ability to build championship teams.
Besides those two names, the Vietnamese media also added two other candidates being considered by PSSI. They are Mauricio Souza and Jean Paul van Gastel.
Mauricio Souza is a Brazilian coach currently leading Persija Jakarta. Souza was previously an assistant coach at Flamengo and Athletico Paranaense. He has experience coaching young players and helped Persija play impressively in the 2025/2026 season.
The last name is Dutchman Jean Paul van Gastel (PSIM Yogyakarta). Van Gastel surprised many by leading PSIM Yogyakarta to perform impressively in the top-tier competition. The neat and progressive playing style he implemented made his team a force to be reckoned with.
Will one of these four names become the coach of the Indonesian national team?
