“Declining trend in points”
©IMAGO
Robin van Persie’s term as coach at Feyenoord Rotterdam has come to an end after almost 16 months. The runner-up announced that he would start the 2026/27 season with a new coaching team. In 58 games, the former top striker scored an average of 1.71 points per game, led the club to 3rd and most recently 2nd place, but was 19 points behind champions PSV Eindhoven this season.
Feyenoord technical director Dévy Rigaux said: “Robin van Persie gave everything for the club. He deserves recognition for leading the team through a difficult season and ultimately securing second place. This led to qualification for the Champions League, which is of great importance for the club.”
During van Persie’s tenure, the squad value fell from 280 million to the current 218 million euros. During this period, the club sold players for 103 million euros and signed new signings for 57 million euros. Rigaux continued: “We carried out a comprehensive internal analysis where we looked at several factors, including the evolution of team performances and the downward trend in points scored – both in Europe and in the Eredivisie. The conclusion was that it is better to start the new season with a new head coach.”
Feyenoord looking for a coach: Will Glasner follow van Persie?
Feyenoord said it would announce van Persie’s successor “in the coming weeks”. Names circulating in the Dutch media include Oliver Glasner, who is leaving Crystal Palace in the summer, and Dick Schreuder, who finished a strong season in third place with NEC Nijmegen. For van Persie, his second stint as head coach ends at the club where he started his professional career in 2001 and ended it again in the summer of 2019 after stints at Arsenal, Manchester United and Fenerbahce. Before joining Feyenoord, he coached SC Heerenveen from July 2024 to February 2025 – before that he worked as a youth and striker coach in Rotterdam.