There is a chance that Patrick Kluivert will play against the Dutch national team at this summer’s World Cup. The Telegraph reports on Friday that the 49-year-old trainer is in the picture for the national coachship of Tunisia, one of the opponents of the Dutch team in the group phase of the final round in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Several Tunisian media report that Kluivert has appeared on a shortlist of the Tunisian Football Association. A search is underway for a suitable successor to the recently dismissed Sami Trabelsi.
Tunisia was very close to the quarter-finals at the African Cup of Nations. However, Mali’s ten team scored in the 96th minute in the round of 16 and eventually won on penalties (3-2). The elimination ultimately cost Trabelsi his head.
Sources around Kluivert confirm The Telegraph that the Tunisian Football Association has already contacted the former striker of Ajax, FC Barcelona and AC Milan, among others. It is still unclear how Kluivert views this challenge.
The morning newspaper reports that Kluivert and agent Soufian Asafiati do not want to respond to the reporting from Tunisia. The former striker can join immediately, as he was dismissed as Indonesian national coach last year.
Kluivert is also experiencing stiff competition. Local media report that Laurent Blanc and Patrick Vieira have also been shortlisted for the open vacancy.
The Dutch national team will play against Tunisia on June 26 in Kansas City. It is the third group match for the Dutch team, which will previously meet Japan and the winner of the play-offs in the initial phase of the World Cup.
