As Deputy Chairman of KFA, Will Shin Tae-yong Leave Indonesia?

The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced its new executive board on Wednesday (9/4/2025). KFA President Chung Mong-gyu gave the position of KFA vice chairman to Shin Tae-yong, the coach of the Indonesian national team for the 2020-2024 period.

Chung appointed five new vice chairmen. Not only Shin, the position was also given to Shin Jaeong-sik (President of Jeonna Football Association), Kim Byung-ji (President of Gangwon FC), Park Hang-seo (former Vietnam national team coach), and academic representative Lee Yong-soo from Sejong University.

The five vice chairmen have different duties. Shin Jaeong-sik is in charge of coordination with the 17 provincial associations of the KFA. Then, Kim represents the task of coordinating with professional competitions.

Park is in charge of supporting the business sector and Lee has a role to support the vision and strategy as well as planning and administration of KFA. Meanwhile, Shin is the vice chairman who supports external cooperation.

With the new assignment, Shin will be the “face” of the KFA to build partnerships with parties outside the South Korean football community, both domestically and internationally. The new and prestigious position at the KFA raises questions for Indonesian football fans.

After receiving the assignment from KFA, will Shin still continue his activities in Indonesia regularly? Is the position of deputy chairman of KFA a sign of the farewell of the former South Korean national team coach at the 2018 World Cup with Indonesia, which loves him very much?

Ahn Hong-seok, a senior sports reporter for South Korean News Agency, Yonhap, explained that the role of vice chairman or vice president of the KFA would not immediately sever Shin's ties with Indonesia. According to Ahn, Shin will still routinely carry out activities in Indonesia.

"Shin's job as vice president (of KFA) is like a 'part-time' job. So, I think he will still stay in Jakarta for some purposes," Ahn said by telephone in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday night.

As is known, Shin also just returned to South Korea after being in Jakarta for a number of activities, last March. Shin had time to follow the agenda of watching together two Indonesian national team matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Australia and Bahrain.

In addition, Shin also continues his role to develop the Shin Tae-yong Football Academy which focuses on developing young players in Indonesia. Not to forget, Shin also attended several commercial activities held by brands that made him a brand ambassador.

Furthermore, Ahn said that the KFA President did not initially offer Shin the role as his deputy. Shin was instead offered the position of KFA Executive Director.

Unlike the vice chairman, the duties of the KFA executive director are much more strategic and significant in the tasks of developing South Korean football. The KFA executive director plays a role in strengthening communication with South Korean football stakeholders and initiating innovations to develop football in the "Ginseng Country".

Shin's job as vice president (KFA) is like a "part-time" job. So, I think he will still stay in Jakarta for some purposes.

Following Shin's refusal, Chung appointed Kim Seung-hee as the new KFA executive director. Kim is a professional figure who has extensive experience in administrative duties in the South Korean football community.

He is also considered a legend of the Daejeon Korail FC club. Not only playing, Kim was once a manager and coach of Daejeon Korail who are now competing in the K3 League.

"In fact, the position that KFA actually offered to coach Shin Tae-yong was executive director. That position is of course a full-time position," Ahn said.

According to another Kompas source in South Korea, Shin's rejection for the KFA executive director position was also related to his contract status with PSSI. Although there was an agreement to terminate his contract as head coach of the Indonesian national team last January, Shin reportedly still received compensation funds from PSSI for ending the cooperation when the current contract was still valid until June 2027.

Compensation funds are common in professional football. For example, Erik ten Hag still receives a monthly payment from Manchester United in the form of a penalty fund for premature termination of his contract before the contract expires. Massimiliano Allegri also still receives similar compensation from Juventus.

The compensation fund is valid until the previously signed contract is completed. If a coach signs a new professional contract, the compensation fund is automatically terminated.

"If Shin accepts the executive director position, he will no longer receive the penalty funds he has received so far from PSSI. There are concerns from him, so he decided to only accept the part-time position of deputy chairman," said a source to Kompas.

"Of course, money is not the only factor that influenced Shin's decision. I and the South Korean public are aware that Shin is generally satisfied with his life in Jakarta. I think that is the biggest reason he does not want to leave Jakarta and Indonesia anytime soon," he continued.

Congratulations on your new assignment, Coach Shin. May Shin's determination to continue helping Indonesian football, especially in youth development, remain sustainable….