Indonesia Sacks Coach Shin Tae-yong Amid World Cup Qualifying Campaign

Indonesia has parted ways with coach Shin Tae-yong, replacing him with a new manager to be announced, as the country bids to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The Indonesian Football Association has parted ways with head coach Shin Tae-yong, effective immediately. The decision was announced on Monday by the association's chief, who cited the need for stronger leadership as the team strives to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Indonesia's passion for football is undeniable, with tens of millions of fans eagerly following the sport. However, the country's national team has struggled to make a significant impact on the international stage. Indonesia's sole World Cup appearance dates back to 1938, when the country was still under Dutch rule. Since gaining independence in 1945, Indonesia has rarely come close to qualifying for the prestigious tournament, making the current qualifying campaign a crucial one for the team.

 

Coach Shin Tae-yong :

Terima kasih sudah membawa Indonesia lolos ke Piala Asia 2023

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Terima kasih sudah membawa Indonesia lolos ke Piala Asia… pic.twitter.com/WiE4nynt8n

— Extra Time Indonesia (@idextratime) January 6, 2025

Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) head Erick Thohir has announced that Shin's tenure as the national team's coach has come to an end. Shin's replacement, whose name has not been disclosed, is expected to arrive in Indonesia on January 11. Thohir emphasized the need for a new leadership that can effectively implement strategies, communicate with players, and develop better programs for the national team.

Currently, Indonesia ranks third in their World Cup group, having played six out of 10 matches, and trails Australia by just one point in the quest for the second automatic spot in the finals. Reuters has attempted to contact Shin for comment via social media. It's worth noting that even if Indonesia finishes third or fourth, they still have a chance to qualify for the finals in North America through additional qualifying rounds and an intercontinental playoff.

Erick Thohir, the head of the Indonesia Football Association (PSSI), revealed that he had interviewed three potential candidates to replace Shin Tae-yong during a recent trip to Europe. Thohir expressed confidence that the coaching change would not disrupt the team's momentum, despite occurring in the middle of the World Cup qualifying campaign. “It's normal. Lots of countries switch coaches during World Cup qualifiers,” he noted.

Thohir explained that the decision to replace Shin was not taken lightly, and had been under consideration for several months. However, he believed that the timing was right, given the remaining preparation time before the next set of matches. “This is something we've been discussing for many months back, but I think the moment is right, because we still have 2 1/2 months preparation for next games,” Thohir said. With four matches remaining, Thohir emphasized the importance of maximizing points. “We still have four matches and we want to get as many points as we can.”

Shin Tae-yong, a South Korean national, took the reins as Indonesia's coach in 2019. Following his departure, Erick Thohir, the head of the Indonesia Football Association (PSSI), confirmed that Shin would receive compensation for the remainder of his contract, which runs until 2027.

During Shin's tenure, Indonesia implemented a policy of recruiting players from the Indonesian diaspora, primarily those born in the Netherlands, to join the national team. This strategy yielded some positive results, as Indonesia became the only Southeast Asian nation to advance to the third round of World Cup qualifying. Notably, they secured a 2-0 victory over regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia in Jakarta last November. However, Shin faced challenges in communicating with his players, often relying on an interpreter. Thohir emphasized the need for improved communication and technical guidance from Shin's replacement.

Thohir, who previously owned Italian club Inter Milan, stressed that qualifying for the World Cup was the top priority. He made this clear to the potential candidates during the interview process. “All the candidates that we interviewed during the five days I was in Europe ... agreed that this was the target,” Thohir said. “This is why they agreed to join the interviews.”