Jakarta – While serving as president of Inter Milan, Erick Thohir made a notable error in hiring Frank de Boer. Now, there’s concern he may repeat the same mistake with another Dutch coach.
Shin Tae-yong has officially been dismissed as the head coach of Indonesia’s national football team as of Monday, January 6. The decision, which came as a surprise given Shin’s contract was valid until 2027, has sparked controversy.
As discussions about Shin’s dismissal continue, debate arises over his replacement, who is expected to be announced on January 12. The leading candidate so far is former Netherlands international Patrick Kluivert.
The rumors have stirred public unease due to Kluivert’s underwhelming track record as a coach. While he enjoyed a glittering career as a player, his coaching credentials are less impressive.
Kluivert has primarily served as an assistant coach for various clubs and the Netherlands national team. His stints as head coach, such as with the Curacao national team and Adana Demirspor in 2023, were short-lived and lackluster. At Adana Demirspor, he lasted only six months.
Furthermore, Kluivert’s off-field controversies, including allegations of match-fixing and connections with criminal gangs in the Netherlands, raise additional concerns.
If PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir insists on hiring Kluivert, it could echo his past misjudgment at Inter Milan.
During his tenure at Inter, Erick made a similar error by appointing another Dutch coach, Frank de Boer, in the 2016/2017 season. De Boer was brought in just weeks before Serie A began, following Roberto Mancini’s dismissal due to disagreements over transfers and poor preseason results.
While initially promising, De Boer’s tenure turned disastrous. He was sacked after just 14 games, with a record of five wins, two draws, and seven losses. His team scored only 15 goals while conceding 19.
Despite his impressive resume, which included four Eredivisie titles with Ajax Amsterdam, De Boer became one of the worst managers in Inter’s history.
So, Erick, are you about to repeat your past mistake?
