Feyenoord sack van Persie after difficult season
Feyenoord have parted ways with head coach Robin van Persie following an intensive internal review of a turbulent campaign, despite the club legend guiding them to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie and securing Champions League qualification.
The former Arsenal and Manchester United striker took charge at De Kuip in February 2025, signing a contract intended to run until the summer of 2027. However, the club’s new hierarchy—led by incoming general director Robert Eenhoorn and technical director Dévy Rigaux—opted for an abrupt change of leadership ahead of the 2026/27 season.
While a runners-up finish in the league would satisfy many, a 19-point chasm behind runaway champions PSV Eindhoven raised serious internal alarms. The Rotterdam club also endured a miserable continental campaign, crashing out of the Champions League qualifiers to Fenerbahce before suffering six defeats in eight Europa League group stage matches.
Technical director Dévy Rigaux admitted it was a difficult decision to dismiss the 42-year-old, but emphasized that a deeper analysis of the team’s trajectory made a fresh start necessary. Rigaux noted that the club took into account the development of the style of play and a declining trend in points totals across both domestic and European competitions.
Van Persie’s 16-month tenure was characterized by tactical volatility. A severe dip in form towards the end of 2025 forced the club to bring in veteran former manager Dick Advocaat as an adviser in March to stabilize the ship. Even as results steadied enough to lock down a top-two finish, the incoming directors consistently refused to offer the head coach public assurances about his future.
The decision marks a clinical and unsentimental move by the new boardroom setup, choosing to cut ties with a boyhood icon rather than risk another inconsistent season. Feyenoord confirmed that their search for a new head coach is already underway, with an appointment expected in the coming weeks, while the futures of assistant coaches René Hake and John de Wolf remain unresolved.
