Champions League winner sacked by Indonesia after final match ends in melee - as two players are sent off AFTER full-time

Indonesia have sacked manager Patrick Kluivert after their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup ended. 

Dutch legend Kluivert, 49, is best known for his spells at Ajax and Barcelona during his decorated playing career, while he spent one year at Newcastle in the 2004-05 campaign.

The former striker, who also netted 40 times in 79 caps for the Netherlands, won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995, and since retiring in 2008, he has dabbled in management.

However, his latest role ended in disappointment as he was sacked by Indonesia on Thursday after just eight games in charge. 

Kluivert had aspirations to take the country to their first World Cup, and although he did help them reach the fourth round of Asian qualifying, defeats by Saudi Arabia and Iraq over recent days condemned them to their fate. 

Indonesia, whose technical advisor is Kluivert's fellow Dutchman Jordi Cruyff, did put up a good fight though, losing 3-2 to the Saudis, before a late goal from former Man United star Zidane Iqbal helped Iraq to secure a 1-0 win. 

In a statement announcing his exit, the Indonesian FA said: 'The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and the coaching team of the Indonesia national team have officially agreed for early termination of cooperation through mutual termination.

'This step was taken as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the national football coaching and development programme.

'After an open, full and respectful discussion, both parties agreed to end this partnership.'

The defeat by Iraq also ended in chaos as Indonesia's players and staff remonstrated with referee Ma Ning after full-time. 

Having believed they should have had a late penalty, several players surrounded Ning before left-back Shayne Pattynama clashed with Iraq head coach Graham Arnold and was sent off.

However, as the referee brandished the red card, Indonesia team manager Sumardji shoved him in the back and was also dismissed. Midfielder Thom Haye was similarly given his marching orders when he confronted Ning. 

Kluivert, who replaced South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong as Indonesia's boss in January, leaves with a record of three wins, four defeats and one draw, and it continues his curious career in coaching.

He previously managed Curacao for just over a year between 2015 and 2016, winning six of his 12 games.

Kluivert then didn't return to the dugout in a permanent role until July 2023 when he took over Turkish side Adana Demirspor, but he left after just five months.

He has held several coaching roles under other managers, with his most notable success being when he worked for the Netherlands under Louis van Gaal. During that time, they finished third at the 2014 World Cup. 

The 49-year-old's exit from his position comes at a time when his three sons - Justin, Ruben and Shane - are thriving in their own professional careers.

Earlier this month, the trio all scored over the same weekend for Bournemouth, Lyon and Barcelona Under 19s respectively. Kluivert's eldest son Quincy was a youth footballer too, coming through the Ajax academy.

Talking to Daily Mail Sport in 2023, Kluivert said of his sons: ‘If we’re making a family five-a-side team, I’m still outfield, just! Quincy, my oldest boy, he’d be in goal. Justin is at Bournemouth. Ruben is a defender in Holland (then at Dordrecht). Then I have my little one, Shane.

‘It’s funny, when we play in the garden, it’s so competitive. I’m sweating my ass off! They want to show their skills, to each other and to me. But they get on so well, always connected even though they’re not always together. For me, that is the most important.

'For a father, and also my father, it is so beautiful to see. I didn’t push them, either. They fell into it. It’s not easy, because they have “Kluivert” on the back. It gives an extra dimension, an expectation.’