Although the source is unclear, Shin Tae-yong is being noted as a potential next coach for the Chinese national soccer team. There are no negotiations or proposals at this point.

The Chinese media outlet SoHu.com reported on the 14th that "Coach Ivanković left China after negotiating the termination conditions of his contract with the Chinese Football Association." Coach Ivanković led the Chinese national team from February 2023, but ended up resigning after achieving disappointing results of 4 wins, 2 draws, and 8 losses in 14 matches. Particularly, following a 0-7 defeat to Japan in the Asian World Cup Qualifiers, the team lost 0-1 to Indonesia, effectively sealing their elimination. China has repeated the pain of failing to qualify for the finals for the sixth consecutive time since the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.

After the dismissal of the coach, Shin Tae-yong's name has become part of the next candidate list, causing a stir in the local soccer community. However, there has yet to be any concrete contact between Coach Shin and the Chinese Football Association.

In October of last year, after leading the Indonesian national team in a match against China, Coach Shin made direct remarks about Chinese soccer, saying, "I never expected such poor soccer performance." This comment came in response to a question from a Chinese media outlet that criticized the performance of the Indonesian national team. The statement generated considerable controversy in China.

Nevertheless, it has been reported that the Chinese Football Association has included Coach Shin in the candidate list, prioritizing practical benefits. This news was communicated through local Indonesian reports. CNN Indonesia reported on the 15th, "Following the dismissal of Coach Ivanković, the Chinese Football Association is considering Shin Tae-yong as a candidate for the next coaching position."

In fact, this is not the first time Coach Shin has attracted interest from China. In 2019, the Chinese side showed interest in Coach Shin, but he opted to lead the Indonesian national team at that time. Since then, he successfully conducted a generational change with the Indonesian team, improving their strength through the introduction of naturalized players and achieving results in international competitions. These accomplishments have contributed to recognizing his leadership across Asia.

However, until now, there has been no concrete proposal. A representative from Coach Shin's side noted, "Contrary to Indonesian media reports, we have not received any proposals or contacts from the Chinese Football Association," and added, "Coach Shin is currently engaged in various activities, including the position of vice president at the Korea Football Association and the role of a non-full-time Director General at Seongnam FC." They continued, "There needs to be a proposal from the Chinese side for any discussions to occur, but as of now, there is no movement on that front."

An internal source within Chinese soccer said, "No one questions Coach Shin's leadership. However, the Chinese Football Association is currently considering various options," adding, "Discussions to appoint a successor have just begun following Coach Ivanković's departure."

CNN Indonesia stated that the source regarding Coach Shin Tae-yong is Football Asia. However, it is just speculation without clear evidence.

Coach Shin Tae-yong has established generational changes and naturalization strategies with the Indonesian national team, proving competitiveness in the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers. His leadership has been consistently recognized across Asia, and China is also currently viewing him as a potential candidate.

However, due to the complex internal circumstances and the urgent need for reform within Chinese soccer, whoever takes on the new coaching position will likely face significant challenges. Coach Shin is also in a situation where he cannot decide his position until a concrete proposal comes through.

[OSEN]