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Reuters

Indonesia sacked South Korean Shin Tae-yong as their national football coach on Monday, and will unveil an unnamed European coach this weekend with their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup still alive.
Erick Thohir, Indonesia’s football association (PSSI) chief, told a press conference the 54-year-old had been sacked because of communication issues and poor recent performances.
He said Shin’s replacement, whom he declined to name, would arrive in Indonesia on January 11.
Indonesia website Vocket said Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal – who has coached top European clubs such as Barcelona, Ajax Amsterdam, Bayern Munich and Manchester United as well as the Dutch national team – was one of the candidates the PSSI had considered.

“We need a leadership that implements strategies as agreed with the players, communicates better, and implements better programmes for our national team,” Thohir said.
Thohir, who said he had interviewed three candidates to replace Shin during a recent trip to Europe, was not concerned that changing coaches in the middle of the campaign would disrupt the team.
“It’s normal. Lots of countries switch coaches during World Cup qualifiers,” he added.
“This is something we’ve been discussing for many months back, but I think the moment is right, because we still have 2 1/2 months preparation for next games.
“We still have four matches and we want to get as many points as we can.”
Shin needed an interpreter to coach the team and Thohir said he would be looking for improved communication and better technical guidance from his replacement.
Thohir, who used to own Italian club Inter Milan, said he had made it clear to the candidates that qualifying for the World Cup was the main priority.
“All the candidates that we interviewed during the five days I was in Europe … agreed that this was the target,” he said.
“This is why they agreed to join the interviews.”
Thohir said Shin – who had been in charge since 2020 – had “accepted the paperwork” and his work with the team had “ended”.
Under Shin, Indonesia are third in their World Cup group after six of 10 matches, one point behind Australia in the battle for the second automatic spot in the finals.
With third and fourth going into another round of qualifying, they could also take part in a fourth round of Asian qualifying. As many as nine slots in the finals are available to Asian teams.
Indonesia lost 2-1 at home to China and then were thrashed 4-0 by Japan in November in qualifying for the World Cup in North America.
They then defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 in Jakarta and remained firmly in with a shout of qualifying for the competition for the first time since the country gained independence in 1945.

Indonesia’s sole World Cup appearance came during Dutch colonial rule in 1938.
The national team’s recent success has been driven by the naturalisation of players of Indonesian heritage, born and raised in Europe. Of the team that started November’s victory over Saudi Arabia, only Marselino Ferdinan, who scored both goals, was born in the Southeast Asian nation.
Shin, who managed his native South Korea at the 2018 World Cup, had been contracted until 2027.
Indonesia’s next World Cup qualifier is a crunch trip to Australia, who are second in the group but just a point ahead, in March.


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Fifa

Indonesia have sacked their South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong in the middle of their campaign to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Photo: AP 

PSSI head Erick Thohir told a press conference Shin was sacked because of communication issues. Photo: AFP

Indonesia’s rise has been driven by the naturalisation of European players of Indonesian heritage. Photo: EPA-EFE

Indonesian cabinet minister and PSSI chairman Erick Thohir wants his country’s football team to be in the top 50 in the world by 2045. Photo: AFP

Indonesia’s South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong (right) has a squad that can compete with Asia’s best. Photo: EPA-EFE

Netherlands-born Thom Haye (right) and teammate Asnawi Mangkualam celebrate after a goal. Photo: Reuters

At least 125 people were killed in a match in East Java in 2022, after fans invaded the pitch. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong welcomes public into new sporting home as Kai Tak Stadium opens doors

The university rugby sevens competition takes place at the new Kai Tak Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Several thousand spectators take their places in the 50,000-seat venue on Sunday. Photo: Sam Tsang

The new South Stand (far end) contains a huge window on to the city’s harbour. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Football

FA head says a replacement from Europe will arrive on January 11, with one of the names thrown about being ex-Barcelona coach Louis Van Gaal


FA head says a replacement from Europe will arrive on January 11, with one of the names thrown about being ex-Barcelona coach Louis Van Gaal.


Fifa World Cup 2026

Indonesia