Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has been named the new head coach of Feyenoord.
The 41-year-old, who retired from professional football in 2019, departs Heerenveen to lead Feyenoord, where he enjoyed two playing spells, recording 122 appearances and scoring 46 goals.
Van Persie previously served as an assistant coach at Feyenoord under Dick Advocaat and worked with the club’s youth teams before assuming the managerial role at Heerenveen in May last year. During his tenure, Heerenveen finished ninth in the Eredivisie, with seven wins from 23 matches.
The former Netherlands international has signed a contract with Feyenoord until 2027. He will be assisted by Rene Hake, who formerly worked with Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Manchester United.
“Everyone knows how special my bond with Feyenoord is,” he said.
“I am enormously looking forward, together with a strong staff, to working with the player group.”
Feyenoord are third in table and 11 points behind leaders Ajax. They dismissed Dane Brian Priske last week after a run of one win in six league games.
Priske had succeeded Arne Slot last summer after the Dutchman left to join Liverpool.
Van Persie spent eight years at Arsenal from 2004 and helped them to win the FA Cup before joining Manchester United in 2012 where he won the Premier League in his first season at the club.
‘We are delighted that with Robin van Persie we can appoint a true club icon as the new coach of Feyenoord,” said general manager Dennis te Kloese.
“Robin knows the club incredibly well and knows exactly what is needed to achieve results.”