Robin van Persie 'set to take charge' at Champions League club in move that has come out of nowhere
Former Arsenal and Manchester United star Robin van Persie is set to take charge of a current Champions League club in a shock move, it has been reported.
Van Persie retired from professional football in 2019 and subsequently embarked on a coaching career.
He was named as assistant manager to Dick Advocaat at Feyenoord and would go on to manage several of the club's junior sides.
He was appointed as head coach of fellow Eredivisie side Heerenveen in May 2024, though made headlines for the wrong reasons just four competitive matches into his reign.
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Heerenveen lost 9-1 in an away fixture against AZ Alkmaar, setting a Dutch top flight record for the heaviest defeat.
The side's fortunes did pick from there, though, and they had picked up seven wins from 18 Eredivisie matches by mid-January.
A run of five games without a win has left Heerenveen outside of the Conference League play-offs on goal difference - but it appears that Van Persie has done enough to grab the attention of a Champions League side.
The former striker is being lined up to replace Brian Priske as manager of Feyenoord, according to Dutch outlet 1908.nl (via Sport Witness).
The report adds that Van Persie's representatives, Sports Entertainment Group, have been approached for discussions over the role, with Feyenoord willing to discuss a compensation package to buy him out of his Heerenveen contract.
Priske, who formerly coached Czech giants Sparta Prague, was appointed by the 2023 Eredivisie champions in the summer following the departure of Arne Slot to Liverpool.
But Feyenoord sit fourth in the Eredivisie and 14 points behind leaders PSV, amid criticism of their playing style under the Dane.
Priske was sacked last week, two days before the first leg of Feyenoord's Champions League play-off fixture against AC Milan.
Now, it is claimed that Van Persie has been lined up as his replacement, having both started and ended his career as a player with the Dutch club.
It is also claimed that he is set to be joined by former Manchester United assistant Rene Hake.
Hake left United following the sacking of Erik ten Hag in November, having only been in his role for four months.
The Dutchman developed his reputation in Dutch football, enjoying two spells at Twente and a successful near 18-month stint at Utrecht before spending two years with Go Ahead Eagles.
Van Persie, who reportedly held talks with Championship side West Brom in January after Carlos Corberan left for Valencia, will be joining a team that is still in the Champions League.
Feyenoord defeated AC Milan over two legs in the play-off round, and will take on Arsenal or Inter Milan in the last 16 stage of the new-look competition.
Topics: Robin Van Persie, Champions League, Arsenal, Man Utd
Ryan Smart