Indonesia's football team, under the leadership of Coach Shin Tae-Yong, reached a significant milestone by advancing to the round of 16 in the 2024 AFC Asian Cup, marking their first appearance in this stage in 17 years. Despite this remarkable achievement and a notable rise in the FIFA world rankings, the Indonesian football governing body, PSSI, made the unexpected decision to sack Shin Tae-Yong. Appointed in December 2019, Shin initially took charge when the team was ranked 173rd in the world and managed to elevate Indonesia to 127th place. This decision has stirred mixed reactions among fans and experts alike.
The rationale behind Shin's dismissal remains a topic of keen interest. Erick Thohir, a prominent figure within the PSSI, expressed the organization's desire for a leader who can better implement strategies and communicate effectively with players.
"We see the need for a leader who is better able to implement the strategies agreed upon by the players, and who has better communication." – Erick Thohir
Despite the surprising decision, Thohir extended his gratitude to Shin for his contributions.
"Correspondence regarding the end of our relationship has been received [by Shin] and I would like to express my gratitude." – Erick Thohir
Shin's tenure as coach witnessed substantial progress for Indonesia. The team now stands third in Group C of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, holding a legitimate chance of advancing further. Under his guidance, Indonesia also reached the final of the 2020 ASEAN Championship, showcasing his impact on the team's performance. His style, however, faced criticism from some quarters for not being aggressive enough.
The decision to part ways with Shin has left Indonesian fans saddened and bewildered. Alvino Hanafi, an Indonesian football journalist, highlighted that Shin's departure might face resistance from football enthusiasts.
"However, firing Shin Tae-Yong will definitely face resistance from football fans." – Alvino Hanafi
Hanafi further elaborated on the potential outcomes of PSSI's decision.
"If the successor to Shin Tae-Yong delivers better results and greater achievements, those opposing the federation's choice today might forget this event." – Hanafi
"If, however, the successor falls short and the team fails to perform better, the federation may find itself under fire for what could be remembered as one of the biggest mistakes in PSSI history." – Hanafi
Shin Tae-Yong's reputation extends beyond Indonesia. Kim Hee-Ung, a South Korean reporter who interviewed Shin last September, emphasized his popularity in South Korea.
"Shin Tae-Yong was well known in South Korea, having led the national team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia." – Kim Hee-Ung
Kim noted that South Korean fans closely followed Shin's journey in Indonesia and were supportive of his achievements.
"Despite the relatively low-profile challenge in Indonesia, South Korean fans were eager to hear about the new history he was making. Unsurprisingly, there was a lot of support for Shin, with the dominant view being that he was doing the country [Indonesia] a favour." – Kim Hee-Ung
The treatment Shin received in Indonesia was also acknowledged positively back in South Korea.
"It was known in Korea that Indonesia had treated Shin Tae-Yong very well." – Kim
Kim added that some South Korean fans even considered him a potential candidate for the head coach position of their national team.
"There were even some who wanted Shin Tae-Yong to become the head coach of the Korean national team because of his good performance in Indonesia. Even before the appointment of [current coach] Hong Myung-Bo, Shin Tae-Yong's name was being talked about among fans." – Kim
The sacking of Vietnam's coach Park Hang-Seo last year serves as a cautionary tale for Indonesia. Park's departure was seen as a poisoned chalice, raising questions about whether PSSI's decision will lead to similar consequences.
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