Robin van Persie Set To Have Two Reunions At Feyenoord

Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is close to agreeing a deal to join Feyenoord as their new head coach. The role has been vacant since the 10th February after Brian Priske was sacked due to, according to the club, ‘inconsistent results and a lack of progress’.

The club currently sit in fourth, but are 14 points off league leaders Ajax and have won just once in their last six league games. They have booked themselves a place in the last 16 of the Champions League this season, having beaten AC Milan over the course of two legs, but their league form suggests that they could miss out on even Europa League football, as both AZ Alkmaar and FC Twente are on their tails.

🚨 Feyenoord on verge of appointing Robin van Persie as head coach. 41yo currently leading Heerenveen but agreement between all parties expected to be struck on Thursday for ex-Arsenal + Man Utd striker to succeed Brian Priske at #Feyenoord @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/xJgmaox7HB

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) February 19, 2025

Van Persie’s Coaching Career

Since hanging up his boots in 2019, van Persie has been looking into his coaching career, initially starting in an unofficial role in Dick Advocaat’s Feyenoord backroom staff team. At the start of the 2021/22 season, he took charge of the club’s U16s team officially, while also getting a supporting position in the first team.

Last season he was promoted to the U18s and 19s teams, playing in the UEFA Youth League. His side topped their group in that competition before being knocked out by Bayern Munich. His team’s performances drew the attention of FC Heerenveen who signed him as manager at the start of this season. The club haven’t seen much progression this season, but haven’t regressed during his tenure, his first in senior football.

Van Persie’s Son

Van Persie obviously has a love for the club, as he started and ended his career there, but that isn’t the only reason that the Dutch striker is interested in joining as manager. His 18-year-old son, Shaqueel van Persie plays for the Feyenoord U19 squad and is highly rated at the club. He has been ravaged by injuries this season, but has still managed two goals in just 103 minutes. The U19s Spring Season hasn’t begun yet in the Netherlands, but Feyenoord fans are hoping that he will be fit for when it does.

📝 DEAL DONE: Shaqueel Van Persie, Robin’s 18-year-old son, has renewed his contract with Feyenoord until June 2028.

(Source: @Feyenoord ) pic.twitter.com/naMHXxOaNV

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 10, 2025

Robin van Persie’s role at the club obviously won’t have a lot to do with the youth teams, but if he is successful at the club, he could end up being the one to give his son his senior debut. Shaqueel is in a unique position where he could turn out for three different nations on the international stage if he gets in that position. He has only played for the Netherlands at youth level, but he was born in London and has Moroccan heritage through his mother, so could play for any of them. It is likely though that he would want to follow in his father’s footsteps.