February 25 – Robin van Persie has been named the new manager of Dutch giants Feyenoord, signing a contract that extends until 2027 with the club where his playing career began.
The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward arrives at De Kuip from SC Heerenveen where he won nine of his 26 matches, leading the club to ninth place in the Eredivisie.
“With his vast international experience, Robin can of course help the players to develop further here,” said Feyenoord director Dennis te Kloese.
“His football vision also fits in perfectly with what we have in mind at Feyenoord: attacking and polished football, combined with courage, intensity and fight.
“To support him as a trainer in conveying that vision, we have found a very experienced assistant in René Hake who will also strengthen the technical staff with immediate effect.”
Van Persie started his football career at Feyenoord before transferring to Arsenal in 2004 and later joining Manchester United in 2012. In 2015, he moved to Fenerbahçe before returning to Feyenoord in 2018, retiring the following year. Throughout his career, Van Persie also made 102 appearances for the Netherlands, scoring 50 goals.
In May 2020, Van Persie began working as an assistant to Dick Advocaat at Feyenoord and subsequently took on coaching roles within the club’s youth system. He signed a two-year contract with Heerenveen in the summer, but his tenure saw mixed results.
“Everyone knows how special my bond with Feyenoord is,” said Van Persie.
“I am enormously looking forward, together with a strong staff, to working with the player group at 1908 [the club’s training ground] and then in De Kuip, supported by the Legion [fans], playing matches and achieving successes together.”
Feyenoord sit third in the Eredivisie, eleven points behind league leaders and arch rivals Ajax. In the Champions League, they eliminated AC Milan under interim manager Pascal Bosschaart, and have been drawn against Inter Milan in the last 16.
Contact the writer of this story Samindra Kunti at moc.l1740490246labto1740490246ofdlr1740490246owedi1740490246sni@i1740490246tnuk.1740490246ardni1740490246mas1740490246