JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia has made the decision to part ways with Shin Tae-yong as the head coach of its national team, the country’s football federation announced on Monday. The Indonesian federation, locally known as PSSI, stated that the dismissal of Shin Tae-yong was the result of thorough evaluations and considerations regarding the team’s performance and its long-term objectives.
Appointed in 2020, the South Korean coach successfully guided Indonesia to the third round of qualification for the 2026 World Cup for the first time. In a notable victory in November, Indonesia triumphed over Saudi Arabia with a 2-0 scoreline, moving into third place in the six-team group with four games left to play.
Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta, PSSI chairman Erick Thohir, who had previously extended Shin’s contract to 2027 in June, elaborated on the rationale behind the decision. Thohir emphasized the importance of addressing the dynamics of the national team, highlighting the necessity for a leader capable of effectively executing agreed-upon strategies, fostering strong communication, and ensuring their successful implementation.
While no official announcement has been made regarding Shin’s successor, speculation suggests that the new head coach may hail from Europe. The recent achievements of the national team have been significantly influenced by the inclusion of players of Indonesian descent who were raised in Europe. During the victory against Saudi Arabia in November, only Marselino Ferdinan, the scorer of both goals, was born in Indonesia, underscoring the impact of the naturalized players on the team.
Indonesia’s upcoming qualifier is slated against Australia in March.
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