Shin Tae-yong targets championship for Persija Jakarta

Newly appointed Persija Jakarta head coach Shin Tae-yong has declared his readiness to meet the club's championship aspirations, having officially signed a three-season contract. The Indonesian club, nicknamed "Macan Kemayoran" (The Royal Tigers), is banking on the South Korean tactician to guide them to their first league title since 2018.

Last season, Persija narrowly missed out on the championship, finishing third in the Super League behind champions Persib Bandung and runners-up Borneo FC. The club's management is optimistic that Shin's experience, particularly his five years coaching the Indonesian national team, will be instrumental in achieving their goals.

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My target is definitely to achieve good results. And I will try my best so that Persija Jakarta fans can see and watch Persija Jakarta's game again.

"My target is definitely to achieve good results. And I will try my best so that Persija Jakarta fans can see and watch Persija Jakarta's game again," Shin stated during his introductory press conference at the Jakarta International Stadium. He emphasized the importance of teamwork between the coaching staff and players to reach the highest position in Indonesia.

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By becoming one with the players, it might be possible to be in the best position in Indonesia.

Shin, 57, is familiar with Jakarta's football scene, having coached at the national level and utilized major stadiums like GBK and JIS. He views Persija as one of Indonesia's biggest clubs and is attracted to the challenge presented by the management, despite acknowledging the strength of other teams in the league such as Persib, Borneo, and Bali United.

Persija President Mohamad Prapanca expressed confidence in Shin's ability to adapt quickly, noting that several key Persija players have previously played under Shin's guidance for the national team. This existing rapport, including with captain Rizky Ridho and players like Shayne Pattynama, is expected to facilitate a smooth transition and contribute to the team's pursuit of success.

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Before, I coached the Indonesian national team for five years, so I know the stadiums in Jakarta very well, GBK and JIS. So I probably know Persija the most.