Soccer-Feyenoord confirm Van Persie as new head coach

AFC Ajax NV

23/02/2025 10:18

Feb 23 (Reuters) - Feyenoord have confirmed Robin van
Persie as their new coach, a return to the club where he started
and ended his illustrious playing career, after a deal was
reached to release him from his position at Heerenveen.
    The 41-year-old Dutchman has signed a contract until June
2027 and will be joined by assistant coach Rene Hake, who
briefly worked under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United earlier
this season before the latter was sacked.
    "Everyone knows how special my bond with Feyenoord is," Van
Persie told the club’s website. "I am enormously looking
forward, together with a strong staff, to working with the
player group at 1908 and then in De Kuip, supported by the
Legion, playing matches and achieving successes together."
    Feyenoord general manager Dennis te Kloese said Van Persie
fitted the profile of coach they were looking for. 
    "We are delighted that with Robin van Persie we can appoint
a true club icon as the new coach of Feyenoord," Te Kloese said.
"Robin knows the club incredibly well and knows exactly what is
needed to achieve results.
    "With his vast international experience, Robin can obviously
help the players develop further here. Moreover, his soccer
vision fits perfectly with what we have in mind at Feyenoord:
attacking and well-kept soccer, combined with guts, intensity
and fight."
    Van Persie had signed a two-year deal with Heerenveen at the
start of this season. The club are ninth in the Dutch league and
suffered a 9-1 defeat at AZ Alkmaar in September, as well as cup
elimination by amateurs Quick Boys.
    Van Persie scored 46 goals in 123 appearances in two spells
for Feyenoord and in between played for Arsenal, Manchester
United and Fenerbahce. 
    Feyenoord are currently third in the Dutch league, 11 points
behind leaders Ajax Amsterdam and having played a game more.
    They will meet Inter Milan in the Champions League round of
16 next month. 

 (Reporting by Nick Said; editing by Clare Fallon)
 ((nick.said@thomsonreuters.com;))