Patrick Kluivert Appointed Coach: Will Sidelined Players Return to the Indonesian National Team?

JAKARTA, investortrust.id - The appointment of Patrick Kluivert as the new coach of the Indonesian national football team, replacing Shin Tae-yong, has sparked optimism for several players previously excluded from the squad. 

The transition, which comes just 2.5 months before the next match in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Asian Zone Group C, has raised the possibility of four sidelined players making a return to the Garuda squad.

The surprising decision by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to replace Shin Tae-yong with the Dutch football legend has elicited mixed reactions. While some players expressed disappointment at the departure of the South Korean coach, others view the change as an opportunity to rejoin the national team. 

Here are the names of Garuda squad members who were previously sidelined under Shin Tae-yong’s tenure and now stand a chance of rejoining the team under Patrick Kluivert.

STEFANO LILIPALY

Stefano Lilipaly, a key player for Borneo FC in Indonesia’s Liga 1, has consistently performed well domestically. He played a vital role in leading Borneo FC to win the Liga 1 Regular Series last season. 

Despite his sharp form, Lilipaly was often overlooked by Shin Tae-yong, who only called him up as a substitute when other forwards were unavailable. Even then, his playing time was limited to a few minutes in the second half or not at all.

SADDIL RAMDANI

Saddil Ramdani is one of Indonesia’s standout players abroad, currently playing for Sabah FC in the Malaysian Super League. Known for his scoring ability, including a hat trick in the 2023/2024 AFC Cup, Ramdani has become a core player for his club. 

He also scored a crucial goal for the Indonesian national team against the Philippines in the second round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, ensuring Indonesia's progression to the third round. 

However, his consistent performances were not enough to secure a regular spot under Shin Tae-yong, in contrast to other players who received call-ups despite limited playing time at their clubs.

MARC KLOK

Marc Klok, a naturalized Dutch player for Persib Bandung, was initially a key figure in Shin Tae-yong’s midfield plans. His penalty goal against Kuwait helped secure Indonesia’s place in the 2023 Asian Cup. 

Despite this, Klok was later excluded from the national team for unclear reasons, even when Shin Tae-yong required midfield reinforcements. Last season, Klok played a pivotal role in leading Persib Bandung to victory in Liga 1, Indonesia’s premier professional football league and the highest level of domestic competition.

ELKAN BAGGOTT

Elkan Baggott, a defender of British-Indonesian descent, gained prominence during the AFF Cup 2020, forming a strong defensive partnership with Jordi Amat and Rizky Ridho. However, issues arose during the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup and Paris Olympic play-offs when Baggott did not respond to a call-up, opting instead to vacation in the Maldives. Following this, he was blacklisted by Shin Tae-yong, despite his earlier contributions to the team.

Patrick Kluivert’s arrival as coach represents a fresh chapter for the Indonesian national team. With his extensive experience as both a player and a coach, expectations are high that Kluivert will bring renewed energy and inclusivity to the squad. Players who were sidelined under the previous regime now have an opportunity to reclaim their places and contribute to the team’s success on the international stage.