Feyenoord Dismiss Head Coach Robin van Persie

Kathmandu. Dutch Eredivisie club Feyenoord has dismissed its head coach Robin van Persie. Former Arsenal and Manchester United star striker Van Persie has been removed from his post just 16 months after taking command of the club.

The 42-year-old Van Persie led the club to second place in the domestic league in his only full season, qualifying for the Champions League. However, his team finished 19 points behind winners PSV Eindhoven. The decision to remove Van Persie was announced less than two weeks after the appointment of new technical director Davy Rigaux and general manager Robert Eenhoorn at the club.

Club technical director Rigaux said Van Persie had given his all for the club over the past year and a half. He said, 'Robin van Persie deserves credit for ending a difficult season in second place. This has secured Champions League football, which is very important.'

However, he added, 'We have conducted an in-depth internal analysis. We considered the development of the team's playing style and the declining trend in the league table, as well as in European competitions. We then concluded that it would be best to start next season with a new head coach.'

Van Persie's playing career has been closely associated with Feyenoord. He started and ended his professional playing career at the same club, where he played 122 games and scored 46 goals. After retiring as a player, he worked as an assistant coach under Dick Advocaat and also coached the club's youth team.

In May 2024, he took charge of Heerenveen club but returned to Feyenoord after nine months. Former striker Van Persie spent eight years at Arsenal from 2004, helping them win the FA Cup, and joined Manchester United in 2012, winning the Premier League title in his first season.