Discussing Shin Tae-yong's Contract Continuation, PSSI Chairman: Depends On Performance In The 2023 Asian Cup

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chair (Ketum) Erick Thohir discussed the continuation of the contract for the head coach of the Indonesian national team, Shin Tae-yong. Erick said, the decision to continue or not is a matter of cooperation depending on the team's performance in the 2023 Asian Cup and the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

In fact, in the initial contract agreement, Shin Tae-yong was bound to handle the Indonesian national team until December 2023. However, currently the South Korean coach has the opportunity to extend until June 2024.

To decide the fate of Shin Tae-yong next, the chairman of PSSI said that it would go through an assessment first. The final results of the team in the 2023 Asian Cup and 2024 U-23 Asian Cup are taken into consideration.

"That's an extension (of Shin Tae-yong's current contract) until June 2024, but later we will review its performance for the Senior Asia Cup (2023 Asian Cup) and of course the U-23 Asia Cup (U-23 2024 Asian Cup)," said PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir when met at Danareksa Tower, Central Jakarta, on Thursday, January 18, 2024.

If Shin Tae-yong could prove himself in the specified time span, Erick Thohir said that PSSI plans to open negotiations to extend cooperation until 2027.

"If the achievement is good, yes, we sit down to discuss it (negotiating the contract) until 2027. Already, it was said earlier that the current contract is until June 2024. If the performance is good, then it will only be until 2027," said Erick again.

Despite the unpleasant situation, Erick Thohir emphasized that the federation continues to provide support and continues to communicate with the coach. This has become a tangible form of support for the development of the Garuda Squad.

"We respect each other. I and coach Shin Tae-yong communicate well. I support it. Yesterday there asked for additional buses, I helped. Ask for additional doctors, I help. I support for sure. I have never discriminated against any coach," said the chairman of PSSI.

Regarding the target set by the federation, Shin Tae-yong's task is not easy, especially in the Asian Cup. The Garuda squad last appeared in the event in the 2007 edition.

In the 2023 Asian Cup, the Indonesian national team also set a target to qualify for the round of 16. After losing in the first match, Shin Tae-yong's team had to fight hard in the second match against Vietnam on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 21.30 WIB.