Robin van Persie ‘really learned’ key managerial quality from ‘great’ Sir Alex Ferguson, he wants to use it at Feyenoord

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Sir Alex Ferguson has watched some of his very best players go on to become very good coaches and Robin van Persie is on that same path.

The pair only spent one season together but it was an important year, with Van Persie almost handpicked to win Manchester United the league title.

Van Persie ditched Arsenal at the start of the 2012/13 season to join Sir Alex for what turned out to be his final season as United manager.

The signing was so impactful as the Dutchman scored 30 goals (26 Premier League) and even provided nine assists in 48 games.

Van Persie is one of Sir Alex’s best ever signings, with his goal influence almost singlehandedly being the difference maker which gave the United legend his 13th league crown.

It was such a good signing, Sir Alex was left blown away by ‘fantastic’ Van Persie… now the ‘Flying Dutchman’ is following in Sir Alex’s managerial footsteps.

• READ MORE: Inside the life of Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson

Robin van Persie wants to use one Sir Alex Ferguson method in his management

In his young managerial career so far, Van Persie has drawn Sir Alex comparisons, with his stubbornness similar to the legendary Scottish manager.

This came while he was at Hervereen, but after recently taking charge of Feyenoord, Van Persie has shared how Sir Alex is influencing his management style.

Van Persie told Dutch outlet FR12, that man management is one major lesson he learned under the most successful United boss of all time.

“It sounds cliche, but I’ve learned something from every trainer. To give an example: from Sir Alex Ferguson I really learned that you have to keep your word in everything you say.

“He was great in that. If he promised something, he did. That is what I strive for too. If you say something, it should mean something towards your players and staff.”

Van Persie – who is among United’s best ever strikers – then praised Arsene Wenger, before sharing the combined lessons he learned under both Premier League legends.

“The best trainers I’ve had were also the most clear and kept everything as simple as possible. Football is not simple, there is incredibly much involved.

“But the trick in management and training a way of playing is to make everything constantly simpler. That is something I learned from the top trainers I worked with, but also through my own working method. When you talk about certain exercises or objectives as a staff member, it goes quite deep.

“When the meeting is over, you will make it smaller to translate it towards the players, so that everyone understands what we mean.”

Van Persie proves his Manchester United snub was correct

Van Persie getting the Feyenoord job is a really impressing step up in his career. In Van Persie’s time with Hervereen he lost a game 9-1, which could have put clubs off but he is clearly showing good signs.

In his playing career, the forward bet on himself and he’s also done this in his coaching career. Van Persie rejected the chance to join Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff, which he will surely be glad of.

If Van Persie had agreed, he would already have left Old Trafford and wouldnt have the experience of being a manager which has led him to the Feyenoord job.

Now, Van Persie is back at the club he managed the youth teams of and also where he retired from football in a fairytale step in his career.