Robin van Persie agrees Champions League job despite winning just nine games as a manager

Robin van Persie is set to become the new head coach of Feyenoord after the parties reached an agreement with the Dutchman potentially facing Arsenal in the Champions League

Robin van Persie has reached an agreement to become the new head coach of Feyenoord.

The Dutchman started and ended his career with the Rotterdam club and will now return in the dugout. The former Arsenal and Manchester United star is set to sign a deal until 2027 with Van Persie being joined by Rene Hake, who recently served as an assistant manager under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, reports the Athletic.

The 41-year-old will leave fellow Eredivisie club Heerenveen, who had handed him his first managerial position. Van Persie replaces Pascal Bosschaart, who had been put in temporary charge after Brian Priske was sacked earlier in February.

Feyenoord are currently fourth in the Eredivisie as they adapt to life after Arne Slot ’s exit. Currently they sit 14 points behind league leaders Ajax, but have qualified for the Champions League round of 16 after seeing off AC Milan.

During his time at Heerenveen Van Persie has just a 34 percent win rate, winning nine of his 26 games and losing 11. He will now return to the club where he began his coaching career.

Van Persie made 122 appearances for the club across two spells, scoring 46 goals, and after retiring in 2019 became Dick Advocaat’s assistant a year later before taking the co-head coach role with their U16s. He was later promoted to their U18 and U19 sides but left in May 2024 to take on the job at Heerenveen.

The Dutchman could soon find himself facing one of his former teams in Arsenal. The Eredivisie club can only face the Gunners or Inter Milan when the draw is made on Friday.

Van Persie has previously claimed that any route back to Arsenal in his post-playing career could be closed off after he chose to run his contract down, forcing the club to sell him to the Red Devils.

He told Sportcast in November: “I don’t expect to work at Arsenal. I think that door is closed. Because of my switch to Manchester United, that is my assessment. You never know in football, but that is my assessment. “It is still sensitive for them, not for me. It is especially sensitive for the Arsenal fans.

“I have learned that planning so far ahead makes no sense at all. I don’t want that either. I mainly live in the here and now. I really enjoy it here and I am very proud to be the coach of SC Heerenveen. I feel I feel very welcome within the club and among the fans. I also think that is important that you feel welcome.”

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