Feyenoord part ways with head coach Robin van Persie

Dutch club Feyenoord will begin the 2026/27 campaign with a new head coach, as the club announced the departure of Robin van Persie. The Rotterdam-based team confirmed the decision on Sunday via its X handle, stating that Van Persie's contract, which ran until 2027, would not be completed.

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Feyenoord will start the 2026-2027 season with a new head coach. The club would like to thank Robin van Persie for everything he gave during his time as head coach.

Van Persie returned to his boyhood club as head coach in February 2025. During his 16-month tenure, he guided Feyenoord to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League. Despite this achievement, the club's newly appointed technical director, Devy Rigaux, explained the decision was based on a thorough internal analysis.

Rigaux noted that the analysis considered the development of the team's style of play and a declining trend in points, both domestically and in European competitions. "The conclusion was that it is better to start the next season with a new head coach," Rigaux stated. The club acknowledged Van Persie's efforts, with Rigaux adding, "Robin van Persie has given everything for the club over the past 1.5 years. He certainly deserves credit for concluding a difficult season with a final second-place finish."

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Robin van Persie has given everything for the club over the past 1.5 years. He certainly deserves credit for concluding a difficult season with a final second-place finish. This secured Champions League football, which is of course very important.

The decision was made even though Feyenoord finished second in the Dutch top flight. However, the team trailed champions PSV Eindhoven by 19 points and experienced an inconsistent season. Van Persie, a former Netherlands, Arsenal, and Manchester United striker, won 30 of his 58 matches in charge.

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We conducted a thorough internal analysis. In this, we took into account, among other things, the development of the style of play and the declining trend in terms of points total, both in Europe and in the Eredivisie. The conclusion was that it is better to start the next season with a new head coach.