Liverpool assistant Giovanni van Bronckhorst is considered among the candidates to take over as head coach of the Indonesia national team – five months after joining.
Van Bronckhorst was appointed Arne Slot‘s new assistant coach at the beginning of July, filling the role vacated by John Heitinga upon his switch to Ajax.
But the 50-year-old is now claimed to be in the running to become Indonesia head coach following the departure of Patrick Kluivert.
Why Giovanni van Bronckhorst could take Indonesia job
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's assistant coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst on the pitch before the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The most recent links emanate from English outlet Football Insider, but there have been ongoing reports of interest in Van Bronckhorst from local sources in Indonesia.
In January, Jakarta Globe detailed a desire from the Indonesian FA (PSSI) to appoint a Dutch head coach, due to the majority of the squad being raised in the Netherlands.
At the time, Kluivert, Van Bronckhorst and Louis Van Gaal were suggested as candidates after PSSI chairman Erick Thohir emphasised the importance of a head coach being able to communicate with the players in a common language.
Kluivert was appointed soon after but left the role last month having failed to secure qualification to the 2026 World Cup.
With the PSSI now seeking a new head coach, Van Bronckhorst’s name has returned to the fore, with there even suggestions that Liverpool would not stand in his way if he wanted to take the job.
Van Bronckhorst was born in the Netherlands to Indonesian and Moluccan parents, while the current 23-man squad includes 16 Dutch natives and others born in countries such as Spain and Belgium.
Interestingly, Heitinga is also of Indonesian descent, with the 42-year-old – recently sacked by Ajax – qualifying through his paternal grandparents.
Liverpool could face another frustrating staff reshuffle
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 22, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. Forest won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool’s move to appoint Van Bronckhorst came as something of a surprise given his experience as a head coach with Feyenoord, Guangzhou R&F, Rangers and Besiktas.
But it came as part of a wider restructure of the staff prompted by a number of high-profile departures, with Heitinga leaving to take over at Ajax and goalkeeping coaches Fabian Otte and Claudio Taffarel also moving on.
Those changes, however, came in the off-season, with a potential exit for Van Bronckhorst prompting another reshuffle at an already turbulent stage for the club.
Many will point out that, if the Dutchman were to leave, Heitinga is now unemployed following his dismissal by Ajax, though it remains to be seen if he would be open to returning to Anfield.