Next big name after Kluivert
© Imago
Jordi Cruyff is a new technical consultant at the Indonesian Football Association and is intended to specify the direction for national football in his role. Particular attention is paid to training methods and the career paths of the best players in the country. Due to its coaching stations at Shenzhen FC and Chongqing Dangdai Lifan, the Dutch already has experience on the Asian continent. Most recently, the son of the late football legend Johan Cruyff worked as a sports director at FC Barcelona.
Cruyff is the next big name for Indonesian football. At the beginning of the year, former world-class striker Patrick Kluivert was introduced as a coach of the national team and is to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup in the USA. A World Cup participation has so far been denied to the fourth-populated country in the world.
The chances that this will change are almost never before. Because by the increase in 48 teams, nine Asian teams can in the best case. Indonesia is currently in the World Cup qualifier with six points in group C, only one counter behind Australia. Second place would mean the direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, and places three and four duel with four other teams for two tickets in the next round. The race for the coveted places is very narrow, because Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China also have six points.
However, Cruyff’s commitment is more about the long -term development of football in the country, as the President of the Indonesian Association Erick Thohir said: “His experience as a player and coach will be of great importance for the future of Indonesian football. To be honest, it is not easy to get someone with good quality like Jordi. You have to appreciate that very much, because Jordi takes it very seriously to advance our football. ”
Cruyff added: “I am very excited. I can’t wait to share my experience and knowledge to improve the level of Indonesian football. The talent is already there, with a good structure and the right support we can realize our big dreams on the world stage. ”