Robin Van Persie joins boyhood club Feyenoord as head coach till 2027
Published on Feb 23, 2025
By IANS
- ROTTERHAM — Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has
been appointed as the new head coach of Feyenoord, his native club. The
41-year-old has signed a contract that will keep him at the club until 2027.
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- Van Persie’s return to Feyenoord marks a significant chapter
in his career, transitioning from a decorated footballer to a manager. His
journey with Feyenoord began nearly three decades ago, having made his
first-team debut at just 18 years old. The striker played a key role in the
club’s triumph in the 2002 UEFA Cup.
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- During his illustrious playing career, Van Persie enjoyed
significant success at top clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, and
Fenerbahce. He became one of the world’s top strikers, winning multiple titles,
including the Premier League with Manchester United and leading the Dutch
national team to the 2010 World Cup final. After returning to Feyenoord for a
second stint in 2018, Van Persie helped the team win the TOTO KNVB Cup and the
Johan Cruijff Schaal before retiring at De Kuip in 2019.
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- "Everyone knows how special my bond with Feyenoord is.
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," said Van Persie.
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- Van Persie’s move into coaching began at Feyenoord’s
Varkenoord academy, where he worked with the Under-18 team and as a specialist
coach for the first team’s attacking line. His success in these roles helped
him secure the head coach position at sc Heerenveen, and now, after gaining
experience, he returns to Feyenoord as the new head coach.
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- In addition to Van Persie, Feyenoord has also appointed Rene
Hake as the assistant coach for the first team. Hake brings with him over 20
years of coaching experience at clubs like FC Emmen, FC Twente, and FC Utrecht.
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- The Feyenoord 1 staff will soon consist of head coach Robin
van Persie, assistants René Hake, Etienne Reijnen and John de Wolf, and
goalkeeper coach Jyri Nieminen.
