JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia’s football federation has announced the dismissal of Shin Tae-yong from his position as head coach of the national team, a decision that reflects thoughtful evaluations of the team’s recent performances and its long-term aspirations. This announcement was made on Monday by the Indonesian Football Association, known as PSSI.

Shin, originally from South Korea, was appointed as the head coach in 2020 and successfully led the Indonesian squad to the third stage of qualification for the 2026 World Cup, marking a historic achievement for the team. In a significant match in November, the national team triumphed over Saudi Arabia with a score of 2-0, securing third place in a six-team qualifying group with four matches still to play.

During a press conference in Jakarta, PSSI chairman Erick Thohir, who had renewed Shin’s contract until 2027 just last June, elaborated on the rationale behind the coaching change. He emphasized the need for heightened attention to the dynamics of the national team, stating, “We see the need for a leader who can better implement strategies agreed upon by the players, good communication, and better implementation.”

While there has yet to be any official announcement regarding Shin’s successor, there are speculations that the new head coach may hail from a European background. The recent successes of the national squad can be attributed in part to the naturalization of players of Indonesian descent who were born and raised in Europe. In the recent match against Saudi Arabia, the only Indonesian-born starter was Marselino Ferdinan, who scored both goals in that game.

Looking ahead, Indonesia is set to face Australia in their next qualifying match, which will take place in March. The upcoming clash adds another layer of anticipation for the team as they continue their pursuit of advancing in international football.