Robin Van Persie Returns To Feyenoord's Childhood Club, This Time As Coach

Robin van Persie is back in Feyenoord, this time as head coach (Instagram/@robinvanpersie).

JAKARTA - Robin van Persie will soon occupy the position of head coach Feyenoord after a year of running his managerial career.

The 41-year-old coach is the manager of Eredivisie's club, Heerenveen, after taking over the club last summer.

It was his first senior coach position. Because his boyhood club, Feyennoord, is looking for a new manager, after sacking Arne Slot's successor, Brian Priske, earlier this month, they wanted Van Persie back to Rotterdam emotionally.

ESPN sources said that the deal would take place in the coming days. Van Persie will be introduced early next week.

He is under contract with Heerenveen until the end of next season. So, Feyennoord will have to pay compensation to their rivals at the Eredivisie.

For Van Persie, this latest step is the next step in an extraordinary managerial trajectory.

After retiring from football in 2018, he became coach at Feyenoord, where he played roles in the academy and first team.

He joined Heerenveen in May 2024 and managed to bring his troops to ninth position in the Eredivisie this season.

Meanwhile, Van Persie enjoyed an extraordinary playing career, scoring 50 goals in 102 appearances for the Dutch National Team.

He started and ended his career at Feyenoord, but became a star for Arsenal (2004-2012), Manchester United (2012-2015), and Fenerbahce (2015-2018) before returning to his boyhood club for the past season.