Coach Shin Tae-Yong's son criticizes Indonesia for shock dismissal

"Over the past five years, Indonesia have climbed 50 places in the FIFA rankings and are third in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, yet the coach is fired?", Shin Jae-won wrote in Korean on his Instagram story on Jan. 6. "My father has worked so hard. My family knows he has given his all for Indonesian football."

Shin Jae-won, a 27-year-old midfielder playing for Seongnam FC, also commented in English on PSSI's Instagram account: "He has put Indonesia up to this stage and this is how you treat him. Good job, PSSI. You guys will regret of your decisions."

The South Korean player further implied that PSSI had treated Shin poorly throughout his five-year tenure. "Let's see how you guys will go further without him," Shin Jae-won wrote. "I have a lot to say about how PSSI has treated my father for 5 years, but I will keep it quiet."

Shin Jae-won's comments on Instagram about PSSI firing his father Shin Tae-yong.

PSSI announced the decision to part ways with coach Shin on Monday, shortly after Indonesia were eliminated from the group stage of the 2024 ASEAN Cup on Dec. 21.

Chairman Erick Thohir stated that the South Korean coach had agreed to leave the Indonesian team, despite having renewed his contract in April 2024, which was supposed to last until 2027.

Coach Shin had been involved with Indonesian football since 2019, achieving major milestones at both the national team and U23 levels, such as advancing past the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup, reaching the semifinals of the 2024 AFC U23 Championship, and progressing to the 2026 World Cup third qualifiers.

Indonesian media are also dissatisfied with PSSI’s decision to sack the 54-year-old coach.

"Indonesian fans are overwhelmed with sadness and confusion," commented ESPN Indonesia. "There is a sigh of regret that Indonesian football may return to its dark days. Sacking coach Shin is a gamble, and the PSSI will face strong opposition from the fans."

Coach Shin Tae-yong receives a silver medal after Indonesia were beaten by Vietnam at the 2023 U23 ASEAN Cup. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

Following Shin's dismissal, PSSI reached an agreement with Dutch football legend Patrick Kluivert on a two-year contract with an option for a two-year extension. PSSI is also reportedly set to appoint Louis Van Gaal - former manager of Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona - as the Technical Director for Indonesia's national teams.

In the 2026 World Cup third qualifiers, Indonesia are third in Group C with six points, tied with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China. They are one point behind Australia and ten points behind Japan.

The new Indonesia coach will debut in March, first with an away match against Australia on March 20 and then hosting Bahrain on March 25. They will later host China on June 5 and travel to Japan on June 10.