Paris Saint-Germain have announced the arrival of former Netherlands international, Patrick Kluivert as the club’s new Director of football.
Under the direction of Paris Saint-Germain Chairman and CEO, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Kluivert will play an active role in the national and international development of the Club and will also be charged with defining the club’s long-term sporting strategy, for which he will be, amongst other roles, a leading ambassador. He will also engage in liaising with the biggest clubs and players in the world.
Kluivert will work in collaboration with the General Manager Jean-Claude Blanc, and will overview the work of our new first-team coach Unai Emery and assistant sporting director Olivier Létang.
“I am extremely honoured to join such a great club as Paris Saint-Germain and to take on the role of Director of Football, declared Kluivert. I will conduct my mission with great ambition and rigor. We are all in Paris to reach the very high objectives set by the club and meet the expectations of the players and supporters alike. As I am moving to Paris, I would also like to express my gratitude to Ajax, the club thanks to which I discovered top-level football and which has always given me their trust.”
“I am especially happy to welcome Patrick Kluivert as our new Director of Football, declared Paris Saint-Germain Chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. Everyone has known Patrick as a world-class player. Since these days, he has always kept football at the heart of his daily life. I am convinced that his great football expertise and passion for the game will help even more the club continue its fast international growth. Following the nomination of our new coach and the selection of our future Performance Centre, the arrival of Patrick Kluivert is another strong sign of our will to begin a new cycle. Day by day, we are patiently giving life to our biggest dreams and those of our millions of supporters.”
Kluivert, 40, enjoyed a playing career with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Ajax Amsterdam (1994-97), with whom he won the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA World Club Cup in 1995, and FC Barcelona (1998-2004), where he scored 90 goals in 182 matches. He ended his illustrious playing career in France, with Lille (2007-08).
With the Netherlands, Kluivert scored 40 goals in 79 appearances, finishing fourth at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and top scorer at UEFA Euro 2000, with five goals. In 2004, as FIFA celebrated its centenary, the legendary Pele named Patrick Kluivert in his FIFA 100 list, comprising the 125 greatest living players (past or present); a prestigious achievement that recognised his contribution to the history of Dutch and international football.
Kluivert has always looked to remain a part of the professional footballing universe. In 2012 he was assistant coach to Louis Van Gaal with the Netherlands national team that finished third at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
remain a part of the professional footballing universe. In 2012 he was assistant coach to Louis Van Gaal with the Netherlands national team that finished third at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Image: Action Images / Paul Childs
