Dutch Coaches Who Have Led Indonesia's National Football Team

Following the dismissal of Shin Tae Yong, Indonesia's national football team is set to welcome a new Dutch coach to take the reins. This marks the latest chapter in a long history of Dutch influence on Indonesian football, as several Dutch coaches have previously managed the team.



PSSI officially parted ways with Shin Tae Yong on January 6, 2025, after five years in charge. Erick Thohir, the president of PSSI, confirmed that a Dutch coach would be appointed as the new head, though the name remains undisclosed and will be revealed on January 12, 2025.

Indonesia has had a strong connection with Dutch footballing expertise over the years, with five Dutch coaches taking charge of the national team since the country’s independence. Here’s a look at these coaches and their tenures:

1.Wiel Coerver (1975-1976)
The first Dutch coach of Indonesia, Wiel Coerver, took charge in 1975. Coerver had built a successful reputation, having led Feyenoord to a UEFA Cup title in 1974. He was brought in with the goal of qualifying Indonesia for the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Although Indonesia was narrowly defeated by North Korea in a penalty shootout, Coerver’s impact on youth football was significant. He introduced what became known as the "Coerver Method," a structured approach to football development that has been adopted worldwide, even by coaches like Rene Meulensteen at Manchester United.

2.Frans van Balkom (1980)
In 1980, Frans van Balkom took over Indonesia’s national team with the goal of qualifying for the 1980 Olympics. Unfortunately, the team failed to perform in the Olympic qualifiers, winning only one of five matches, and van Balkom was dismissed after just six months in charge.

3.Henk Wullems (1996-1997)
Henk Wullems, after leading Bandung Raya to the Indonesian League title, was appointed to coach the national team in 1996. Under his guidance, Indonesia won a silver medal at the 1997 SEA Games. Wullems’ time with the team lasted only a year, after which he transitioned to various roles in Indonesian football, including stints at PSM Makassar and Arema Malang.

4.Wim Rijsbergen (2011-2012)
A former star of the Dutch national team, Wim Rijsbergen had a distinguished playing career, notably under Rinus Michels’ Total Football philosophy during the 1974 World Cup. Rijsbergen was appointed coach of Indonesia in 2011, but his tenure was marked by controversy, particularly after a 0-2 loss to Bahrain in World Cup qualifiers. His criticism of the players’ inability to execute basic football techniques led to tension within the squad, and he was eventually dismissed in early 2012 after a poor record.

5.Pieter Huistra (2015)
Pieter Huistra was appointed interim coach of Indonesia in December 2015. However, his short stint coincided with a FIFA suspension on Indonesia due to government interference in PSSI's affairs. After leaving Indonesia, Huistra continued his coaching career abroad with teams in Japan and Uzbekistan. In 2023, he returned to Indonesia to manage Borneo FC Samarinda.