Former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie has been named the new Heerenveen head coach for the coming season. This is the 40-year-old’s first senior management job, having previously coached Feyenoord’s U-18 team.
After a discussion with the board, he seems to have impressed them enough to land an opportunity. This season, the club can not finish higher than 10th, meaning they will not play in any European competitions next year.
Robin Van Persie earns first senior coaching job with Heerenveen
New chapter 💪
— Robin van Persie (@Persie_Official) May 17, 2024
Proud to start a new adventure @scHeerenveen 🔵⚪️ Can’t wait to get started! #OpneiFryslân pic.twitter.com/D5w4gy0oqe
“The coaching profession is comprehensive and challenging, and I’ve practiced it with great passion and pleasure,” Robin Van Persie said.
“I would like to continue my development and the role of head coach fits in perfectly with that goal. I am therefore pleased with the opportunity that Heerenveen offers me. It is a fantastic challenge to contribute to the sporting ambitions and development of the club.”
It will be interesting to see how things turn out for the former striker in his first coaching role. His quality as a player was unparalleled, as he is still the top scorer for the Dutch national team. However, coaching is a completely different challenge and will demand a different approach to the game for him.
Van Persie is highly rated by insiders who have watched him, and there is every chance he could succeed. Only time will tell how things turn out for him next year, especially given he will have a full preseason to implement his ideas.
