Robin van Persie has been appointed as Feyenoord’s new head coach.
Former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie retired from playing football in 2019 but remained involved in the sport through coaching.
Remembered for leaving Arsenal in 2012 and winning the Premier League at Old Trafford, Van Persie is still adored by United fans today as one of the best strikers in recent decades.
Van Persie was one of the best strikers to come from the Netherlands and one day he’ll hope the same is said about him as a coach.
He also played for Feyenoord and Fenerbahce, meaning his influence was felt throughout Europe during his career.
Van Persie was also an established Netherlands international who made over 100 appearances for his country.
Robin van Persie appointed Feyenoord manager
Van Persie, 41, has become Feyenoord head coach on a contract until 2027 after leaving fellow Dutch side Heerenveen.
Making 122 appearances during two spells at Feyenoord and hailing from Rotterdam, where he scored 46 goals, Van Persie is back at home doing what he loves most.
The lethal striker previously worked as Dick Advocaat’s assistant manager at Feyenoord before taking the Heerenveen job last May.
However, Van Persie will be joined by former United coach Rene Hake at Feyenoord. The former Go Ahead Eagles boss left Old Trafford in November following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal earlier this season.
“Everyone knows how special my bond with Feyenoord is,” Van Persie said, as quoted by Feyenoord’s official website.
“I am enormously looking forward, together with a strong staff, to working with the player group.”
Meanwhile, at United, Ruben Amorim has had a rocky start to life. The Reds are 15th in the Premier League after a 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.
Van Persie will try replicate Solskjaer run
Van Persie isn’t the only former United striker to recent take a job in management.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been manager of Besiktas for seven matches, enjoying five wins and one draw. The Turkish outfit have turned things around and Van Persie will want to do the same at Feyenoord.
Feyenoord are third in the table and 11 points behind leaders Ajax. It would be a huge comeback to launch a title bid at this stage, but Feyenoord made their intentions clear with Brian Priske last week after a run of one win in six league games saw him sacked.
Van Persie joined Heerenveen at the start of the season and endured a mixed spell at the club, leaving them 9th in the Eredivisie.
Feyenoord have qualified for the round of 16 in the Champions League which means Van Persie has some major fixtures coming up. The Dutch outfit face Inter Milan in the Round of 16.
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