Shin Tae-yong tenure as the head coach of the Indonesian national football team was filled with both highs and lows. When he was appointed back in 2020, there was hope that his experience and tactical acumen would turn the team around. But, after a series of disappointing results and performance issues, his departure came as a shock to many fans. What went wrong? Why did things not pan out the way everyone expected? As a football fan and someone who’s watched the ups and downs of national teams across the world, I thought I’d take a deep dive into some of the reasons behind Shin Tae-yong’s firing. Here are six major factors that contributed to his downfall as Indonesia’s coach.
What Went Wrong? 6 Reasons Shin Tae-yong Was Fired as Indonesia’s Coach
1. Underperformance in Key Tournaments
First things first, let’s talk about the big one: the results. Football, at the end of the day, is all about results. You can have the best ideas, the most intricate strategies, and all the passion in the world, but if your team isn’t performing on the pitch, that’s a big problem. During Shin Tae-yong’s reign, the Indonesian team did show some signs of improvement, but overall, they couldn’t deliver when it mattered most.
Take the 2020 AFF Championship, for example. Indonesia made it to the final, but they were outclassed by a dominant Thailand side. In major tournaments like that, fans expect to see a competitive performance, not just a “good try.” And let’s be honest: a final loss is disappointing, but when you’re expected to fight for that title and you fall short, it reflects poorly on the coach’s ability to prepare the team. While some fans were still holding out hope, the pressure was mounting, and many started questioning whether Shin Tae-yong’s tactics were really up to par.
2. Struggles with Player Selection and Team Chemistry
Another reason Shin’s time with the team didn’t last was his struggles with player selection. One of the most vital parts of being a coach is knowing your players and figuring out which combination works best. For some reason, Shin seemed to consistently rotate players in ways that didn’t really make sense to the fans or experts.
It was like a puzzle where the pieces just didn’t fit together. Some players, despite showing great form in the domestic league or in training, were left on the bench during key matches. And while you have to trust your gut as a coach, you also have to be in tune with the pulse of your squad. Chemistry, both on and off the pitch, is key, and it just felt like Shin couldn’t establish that kind of connection with the players. When a coach can’t get that balance right, the team suffers.
3. Tactical Inflexibility
I get it—every coach has a philosophy they believe in. That’s what makes them who they are. However, being too rigid with your tactics can backfire, especially when things aren’t going as planned. And that’s something I think we saw from Shin Tae-yong. He was quite stubborn with his tactical setup, and at times, it felt like he couldn’t adapt to the changing dynamics of a match or the opposition.
Football is all about flexibility. In certain games, a more defensive approach might be needed, while in others, an attacking mindset is the way to go. But Shin didn’t seem to make those switches fast enough. And when you’re not reacting in real-time, you’re giving the other team an advantage. It’s one of the big reasons why a coach can lose the locker room or even the support of fans—people want to see that their coach is engaged and is thinking on their feet. Tactical stubbornness can sometimes look like a lack of adaptability, and in a sport as fluid as football, that’s a killer.
4. Language and Communication Barriers
Shin Tae-yong’s language barrier was another issue that seemed to impact his coaching effectiveness. While many coaches at the international level have to deal with communication challenges, Shin’s inability to speak Bahasa Indonesia fluently was something that came up repeatedly. Football, after all, is a team sport, and communication is crucial.
Now, I’m not saying that language should be a dealbreaker—many successful international coaches work in countries where they don’t speak the native tongue fluently. But the way Shin struggled with communication, especially during high-pressure moments, may have contributed to some of the misfires on the pitch. You need to be able to connect with your players, give them the confidence to follow your lead, and ensure they understand your instructions fully. When that connection is fractured, it can affect team morale and overall performance.
5. Fan Expectations and Media Pressure
Indonesia’s football fans are passionate. I mean, seriously passionate. It’s the kind of support that can feel like a blessing, but it can also turn into a curse if things aren’t going right. As an outsider, Shin might not have fully understood just how much pressure that puts on the coach. But it was clear that the media and the fans weren’t shy about voicing their frustrations whenever the team faltered.
I’m sure Shin came into the job thinking he could work quietly behind the scenes, but in Indonesia, the pressure to perform is almost unbearable. Every loss feels like a public judgment, and the media’s constant questioning can slowly eat away at a coach’s confidence. Eventually, that weight becomes too much to handle, and when you couple that with a string of bad results, it creates a perfect storm. Unfortunately, Shin’s tenure was marked by this pressure, and the fans’ impatience played a significant role in his eventual firing.
6. Unmet Long-Term Goals and Vision
Lastly, Shin Tae-yong’s inability to deliver on long-term goals played a crucial role in his departure. He was brought in with the expectation of building a team for the future—something that would not just be competitive in the short term but also show sustained growth. However, after years of coaching, the Indonesian football team still didn’t seem to be progressing in the way people had hoped.
The key to long-term success is planning and nurturing young talent, developing a strong footballing identity, and making steady improvements. But unfortunately, it never really felt like Shin’s vision was coming together. Without that clear roadmap and visible progress, it’s hard for anyone—be it fans, players, or the football federation—to justify keeping a coach in charge for too long.
Shin Tae-yong’s departure from Indonesia’s national team was a decision that many saw coming. While he undoubtedly had good intentions and did show moments of brilliance, his time as head coach was filled with challenges that ultimately proved too difficult to overcome. From underwhelming performances in key tournaments to tactical inflexibility, player management struggles, and the constant pressure from fans, Shin’s tenure was a complex and ultimately unsatisfying one.
Sometimes, despite all your best efforts, things just don’t work out. And for Shin Tae-yong, that was the case in Indonesia. Football is a harsh game, and in the end, results speak louder than words.
