Robin van Persie likely to face Arsenal as he agrees Champions League job

Former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Robin van Persie has reached an agreement to become the new head coach of Feyenoord.

Van Persie started and ended his career with the Rotterdam club and will now return in the dugout. The former Arsenal and Manchester United star is set to sign a deal until 2027 with Van Persie being joined by Rene Hake, who recently served as an assistant manager under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, reports the Athletic.

The 41-year-old will leave fellow Eredivisie club Heerenveen, who had handed him his first managerial position. Van Persie replaces Pascal Bosschaart, who had been put in temporary charge after Brian Priske was sacked earlier in February.

Heerenveen coach Robin van Persie during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AZ Alkmaar and sc Heerenveen (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)

Having find life after Arne Slot ’s exit difficult, Feyenoord are currently fourth in the Eredivise as they sit 14 points behind league leaders Ajax, but have qualified for the Champions League round of 16 after seeing off AC Milan.

Van Persie is now expected to work his magic at a club he once represented as a player.

The Dutchman made 122 appearances for the club across two spells, scoring 46 goals, and after retiring in 2019 became Dick Advocaat’s assistant a year later before taking the co-head coach role with their U16s. He was later promoted to their U18 and U19 sides but left in May 2024 to take on the job at Heerenveen.

During his time at Heerenveen Van Persie has just a 34 percent win rate, winning nine of his 26 games and losing 11.

Surprisingly, Van Persie could soon find himself facing one of his former teams in Arsenal. The Eredivisie club can only face the Gunners or Inter Milan when the draw is made on Friday.