Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool assistant coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst has emerged as a serious candidate for the vacant Indonesia national team manager position.
The former Feyenoord and Rangers boss only joined Slot’s staff in July 2025, replacing John Heitinga who departed for Ajax, yet already finds himself at the center of a managerial tug-of-war.
The Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) began their search for a new head coach following the dismissal of Patrick Kluivert last month.
Kluivert, a former Netherlands teammate of Van Bronckhorst, paid the price after Indonesia failed to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, despite reaching the fourth round of AFC qualifiers.
The Indonesian national team currently features 16 Dutch-born players in its 23-man squad as a result of the country’s colonial ties.
Van Bronckhorst’s managerial CV includes an Eredivisie title with Feyenoord, a Scottish Cup with Rangers, and a Turkish Super Cup with Besiktas, giving him a 58% career win rate that appeals to Indonesia’s ambition of climbing the FIFA rankings.
Having overseen a 53-place improvement in their world ranking since 2021, the Indonesian FA eyes the 2027 Asian Cup as their next redemption opportunity.
However, it seems that the Liverpool assistant may be staying at Anfield despite the links – at least for now.
Dutch outlet Voetbal Primeur has reported that Van Bronckhorst has not received any direct communication from the PSSI as of yet:
“It is outlined that sources close to Van Bronckhorst say that there has not yet been any contact between Slot’s right-hand man and the Indonesian Football Association.”
“It is also unclear how the former captain of the Dutch national team views the interest and whether he wants to give up his job at Liverpool. Van Bronckhorst has an affinity with Indonesia given his roots.”
For Liverpool, already navigating their worst league form in years, losing an assistant mid-campaign represents another unwelcome distraction
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