PSSI denies reappointment of coach Shin Tae Yong, looking for new person
Exco PSSI, Ms. Vivin Cahyani Sungkono, denied the news of reappointing coach Shin Tae Yong; affirmed that there was no discussion and PSSI is looking for an experienced coach for a long-term plan.
Ms. Vivin Cahyani Sungkono, member of the Executive Committee (Exco) of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), affirmed that PSSI has no plans to reappoint coach Shin Tae Yong. In an interview quoted by Antara, she completely denied rumors that the Korean strategist will replace Patrick Kluivert in the national team.
PSSI denies rumors about Shin Tae Yong
“We would like to clarify that the news about coach Shin Tae Yong returning is unfounded and untrue. Currently, PSSI does not have any discussions related to Mr. Shin Tae Yong in the agenda,” Ms. Vivin said. PSSI leaders emphasized that the organization is prioritizing long-term criteria: “PSSI is working hard to find an experienced coach who can lead the team in the long term, in line with the new vision and development roadmap of Indonesian football.”
Indonesia national team hot seat and selection criteria
After parting ways with Patrick Kluivert, the head coach position of the Indonesian national team is vacant. PSSI describes the criteria clearly: an experienced coach, capable of long-term companionship and suitable for the new development path. This is an orientation to ensure succession after the 2026 World Cup qualifying cycle.
Background: Patrick Kluivert leaves office
On October 16, 2025, four days after the fourth qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup concluded, PSSI and Patrick Kluivert agreed to terminate the contract. Under Kluivert, Indonesia suffered two defeats against Saudi Arabia and Iraq in this stage, closing the opportunity to participate in the biggest football festival on the planet next summer.
Candidate rumors and recruitment reality
After Kluivert left, the media mentioned many names such as Louis van Gaal, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and Shin Tae Yong. However, PSSI has officially denied the possibility of reuniting with Shin Tae Yong at the present time. This shows that the federation wants to strictly control information and focus on the selection process according to the announced criteria.
Shin Tae Yong and milestones in Indonesia
Shin Tae Yong has led Indonesian football since December 2019. Despite a challenging start, the national teams at all levels recorded important milestones under the Korean coach:
- U23 Indonesia entered the semi-finals of the 2024 AFC U23 Championship for the first time.
- The national team entered the round of 16 at the 2023 Asian Cup.
- Become the only representative of Southeast Asia to participate in the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.
However, internal conflicts and disappointing results at the AFF Cup 2024 ended his tenure in the archipelago.
Reaction and impact
The desire to reunite with Shin Tae Yong is still present in some sections of the public, including the legendary Atep. But the message from PSSI shows that the selection process is being managed with long-term criteria, rather than reacting immediately to a wave of rumors.
Strategic perspective
In the context of Indonesia having experienced a relatively successful cycle at the continental level but missed out on the 2026 World Cup, the “experienced and long-term” priority that PSSI has put forward is a step to stabilize the team’s foundation. The denial of rumors about Shin Tae Yong also helps clarify public opinion, creating space for the candidate evaluation and negotiation process to take place transparently, avoiding disruption during the transition period.
