Van Persie gets big job in Netherlands

Sunday 23 February 2025 11:25

Manchester United legend Robin van Persie has been appointed head coach of Feyenoord.

Van Persie, 41, joins from Heerenveen, who he took charge of last May in his first senior managerial role.

The Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer went into coaching after retiring in 2019 and he has previously worked with Feyenoord’s youth sides.

It’s bound to be an emotional return to De Kuip for Robin, as he began and ended his playing career with the Rotterdam giants, who qualified for the Champions League’s last-16 on Tuesday, overcoming AC Milan 2-1 on aggregate.

Pascal Bosschart has been in interim charge of the side since they parted company with Brian Priske earlier this month.

Robin – who will be assisted by former Reds coach Rene Hake – will be tasked with facing Inter Milan in the next round of the UEFA Champions League next month, following Friday’s draw.

Of course, Van Persie won the title with United in 2013, scoring 30 goals in 48 games in one of the great debut seasons in Reds history.

Robin has revisited Carrington on a number of occasions in recent years, observing training sessions when Erik ten Hag was manager and undertaking part of his UEFA Pro Licence.

“I’m now at the stage where I’m like a sponge and I try to learn and try to think as a coach, instead of as a football fan or as a player,” he told us on a visit in 2023.

“A lot of things come into your path, so I don’t know when, and if I take that chance, but when I do, I have to be ready and that takes time.”

We wish him the best of luck as he embarks upon this new journey and hope our paths will cross again in the future.

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Robin van Persie – “One of the best years in Manchester‪”‬ podcastRobin van Persie joins UTD Podcast this week for an extended look through his incredible Premier League career. RVP talks about facing United during his time with Arsenal – beating Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in an FA Cup final and being on the receiving end of the famous 8-2 win over the Gunners in 2011. Robin told us how he was tempted to move to Old Trafford and his elation at finally winning the Premier League. The Dutchman also lifted the lid on his time under compatriot Louis van Gaal with the Netherlands and Manchester United.

Sunday 23 February 2025 11:25