Former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Robin van Persie has been appointed head coach of Dutch side Heerenveen.
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- Van Persie retired from football in 2019
- Snubbed chance to be Ten Hag's assistant
- Appointed Heerenveen's new head coach
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The 40-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Eredivisie side – five years after retiring from football. After coaching Feyenoord's Under-16, U18 and U19 sides, the former Dutch international has taken up his first senior management role.
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WHAT ROBIN VAN PERSIE SAID
He said: "The coaching profession is comprehensive and challenging, and I practice it with a lot of passion and pleasure. I am keen to continue my development and the role of head coach fits perfectly with that ambition. I am therefore delighted with the opportunity Heerenveen is offering me. Heerenveen is a very nice club with a rich tradition and loyal supporters. It is a fantastic challenge to be allowed to contribute to the club's sporting ambitions and development here as head coach."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Van Persie – who had a glittering 18-year-long career playing for United, Arsenal, Feyenoord, and Fenerbahce – reportedly turned down the chance to be Erik ten Hag's assistant at Manchester United in 2022. The former striker decided to stay in his coaching role at Feyenoord and to be closer to his family. Ten Hag went onto appoint Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren and going by the Red Devils' current struggles, it may have been the right call by Van Persie.
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WHAT NEXT?
Van Persie, who has worked under Liverpool-bound Arne Slot at Feyenoord, will replace Kees van Wonderen when his contract at Heerenveen expires this summer. They finish their season away at Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday.
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