Robin van Persie has landed his first job in football management (Picture: Getty)
Robin van Persie has been named Heerenveen head coach – the former Manchester United and Arsenal striker’s first managerial post.
The 40-year-old hung up his boots after in 2019 after a spell back with boyhood club Feyenoord, where the ex-Netherlands international eventually moved into coaching.
Van Persie has spent this season in charge of the Dutch side’s Under-18s and now takes his first post as manager at Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen.
‘I would like to continue my development and the role of head coach fits in perfectly with that goal,’ the former striker said. ‘I am therefore pleased with the opportunity that Heerenveen offers me.
‘Heerenveen is a very nice Eredivisie club with a rich tradition and loyal supporters.
Robin van Perise had been learning the ropes as a coach back at his first club Feyenoord (Picture: Getty)
‘It is a fantastic challenge to contribute to the sporting ambitions and development of the club as head coach.’
Van Persie had been approached to be part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff atUnited when he became manager in 2022, but turned down the chance for family reasons.
‘My son and daughter are important right now,’ Van Persie told the Life After Football magazine in 2022. ‘The fact that they have both found their passion is great. A hobby is nice, but you hope that they really find a passion.
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‘Dina succeeded in doing that with horse riding, she’s totally into it, and Shaqueel has the same thing with soccer. My wife, Bouchra, is developing all her talents with our projects and that’s great to see. We’re enjoying ourselves together.
‘In London, when I played at Arsenal, we moved five times. We also lived in Manchester and Istanbul. All in all, we were away for almost fourteen years.
‘But then we thought “what’s good for the kids now?” and felt a little stability would be nice.’
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