This information was confirmed by Mr. Sumardji, Chairman of the National Team Agency of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI), to CNN Indonesia on February 21. Thereby, he said that if coach Indra Sjafri is fired immediately, PSSI will have to pay a large amount of compensation, because this coach's contract is still valid until the end of 2027.
Vietnam U.22 team faces Indonesia U.22 team at SEA Games 2023
Photo: Ngoc Duong
"Similar to the case of coach Shin Tae-yong before, after the 2024 AFF Cup, we must have specific assessments with coach Indra Sjafri after the 2025 AFC U-20 Championship campaign (currently taking place in China). The results of the Indonesian U-20 team in this tournament will be reviewed, including the coach. All issues, good or bad, will be discussed before making a decision to replace the coach or reform the team or not," said Mr. Sumardji.
Also according to Mr. Sumardji: "If the coach (Indra Sjafri) is fired, as in the case of Shin Tae-yong before, PSSI will certainly have to pay a large amount of compensation, because the contract with this coach is still valid until the end of 2027.
Therefore, we cannot make decisions on our own, based on the opinions of one or two people. Everything is based on reports, assessments and of course will be discussed together. Whether Indra Sjafri will be fired or not, there is no decision yet. We will make a decision after the upcoming discussion meeting with the executive board."
The Indonesian U.20 team led by coach Indra Sjafri caused great disappointment when they were eliminated early in the group stage of the U.20 Asian Cup, with 2 losses and 1 draw, failing to achieve the goal of winning a ticket to the U.20 World Cup finals (taking place in September in Chile).
Fans in this country called on PSSI to fire coach Indra Sjafri, because his coaching style is outdated, despite the fact that he was the hero nearly 2 years ago who helped Indonesian football win the SEA Games men's football gold medal for the first time in 32 years in Cambodia.
Mr. Indra Sjafri was also expected to lead the Indonesian U.22 team to the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand later this year to defend the gold medal won, based on the current U.20 team. However, the failure at the U.20 Asian tournament has caused him to be heavily criticized.
Coach Shin Tae-yong, when he was leading the Indonesian team, was fired due to failure at the AFF Cup 2024.
Photo: AFP
After the final match and procedures in the group stage of the U.20 Asian Cup when the U.20 Indonesia team drew 0-0 with Yemen on February 19, coach Indra Sjafri admitted: "I did not complete my mission. I accepted a huge risk, which was to set the goal for the U.20 Indonesia team to win a ticket to the World Cup. Therefore, I will let PSSI decide. I do not care about being replaced, because this is the federation's mission, regardless of the risk of this failure, I still take full responsibility."
Previously, according to Indonesian press, when PSSI President Erick Thohir suddenly decided to fire coach Shin Tae-yong of the national team, they had to pay a "huge" compensation of nearly 4.5 million USD (more than 114.6 billion VND) for the remaining time of the contract until the end of 2027.
Meanwhile, coach Indra Sjafri still has a similar contract period, is considered a hero of Indonesian football after winning the SEA Games gold medal, if he is fired, he will also be compensated a large amount of money.
With the uncertain future of coach Indra Sjafri, the U.22 Indonesian team participating in the upcoming 33rd SEA Games is also currently without a leader.
Most likely, PSSI will assign this task to the U.23 team coach, Mr. Gerald Vanenburg, a Dutchman, who is also a member of the Indonesian national team's coaching staff currently led by coach Patrick Kluivert. They also have a big goal of competing in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia, so everything is still unclear, according to CNN Indonesia .
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-doi-u20-sap-bi-sa-thai-u22-indonesia-du-sea-games-33-chua-co-nguoi-dan-dat-185250221113759134.htm
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