Robin van Persie has been appointed as the new head coach of Feyenoord. The ex-Manchester United star has signed a contract at De Kuip until summer 2027.
Van Persie, 41, impressed in his first senior managerial role with fellow Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen. After joining the club on a two-year deal last May, he won nine and drew six of his first 26 matches in charge.
Upon his departure, Heerenveen sat ninth in the Dutch top-tier and Van Persie's fine start to life in management attracted attention from the likes of Feyenoord among others.
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Feyenoord had been searching for a permanent replacement after Brian Priske was sacked on February 10 and then replaced on an interim basis by Pascal Bosschaart. Despite that change in the dugout, De Kuip managed to beat AC Milan in their Champions League play-off and book a place in the last-16.
And following Feyenoord's 2-1 win over Almere City in the league on Saturday, they have now confirmed Van Persie, who started and ended his playing career at De Kuip, as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half year contract. He will be assisted by former United and Erik ten Hag's assistant Rene Hake.
Speaking after his appointment, Van Persie said: "Everyone knows how special my bond with Feyenoord is. I am really looking forward to working with the group of players on 1908, together with a strong staff, and then playing matches in De Kuip, supported by the legion, and achieving successes together."
Feyenoord chief executive Dennis te Kloese went on: "We are delighted to appoint Robin van Persie, a true club icon, as the new head coach of Feyenoord's first-team. Robin knows the club well and understands exactly what it takes to achieve results.
"With his vast international experience, Robin will obviously be able to help our players develop further, and his football philosophy aligns perfectly with what we aim for at Feyenoord - combining an attacking [approach] and well-structured style of football with tenacity, intensity, and determination.
"To support him in conveying this vision, we have found an experienced assistant coach in René Hake, who will also be joining Feyenoord’s first team staff from Monday onwards."
Van Persie may have only spent three years at United as a first-team star, but he made a lasting impact. He joined the club from Arsenal in summer 2012 with one goal; to win the Premier League.
And the former Netherlands international achieved just that, helping United to Sir Alex Ferguson's final Premier League title in his last season in charge. He scored 26 top-flight goals in 38 matches during the 2012/2013 season, winning his first English top-flight title and the division's Golden Boot in the process.
He spent two further years at Old Trafford before then departing to sign for Turkish club Fenerbahce. In total, Van Persie netted 58 in 105 appearances for United.
