Video: Robin van Persie lands first official senior coaching role at Heerenveen | OneFootball

Eredivisie side Heerenveen have announced that former Manchester United striker, Robin van Persie, is to become the manager of the club.

The United legend has been working as a coach at Feyenoord since joining to assist Dick Advocaat in 2020.

The 40-year-old was subsequently given the role as a field coach and from this season, he was promoted to co-head coach of the club’s U-18 team, as well as the U-19 team in the 2023–24 UEFA Youth League.

The Dutch giants were keen to keep van Persie as they envisaged his next move was to manage the U-21 side before possibly having the opportunity in the future to coach the senior side.

However, Van Persie wanted to take the leap to senior coaching and Heerenveen have lapped up the chance to offer him the top job.

It was relayed here last month that the Dutchman was very close to being appointed at the 10th placed Eredivisie side and now it has been made official.

Commenting on the announcement he said, “I would like to continue my development and the role of head coach fits in perfectly with that goal.”

“Heerenveen is a very nice Premier League club with a rich tradition and loyal supporters.”

“It is a fantastic challenge to contribute to the sporting ambitions and development of the club as head coach.”

The former striker has previously revealed that he rejected the chance to be a member of Erik ten Hag’s coaching team back in 2022 as he wanted the chance to continue cutting his teeth in Feyenoord’s youth set up.

It will be fascinating to see how the legendary forward adapts to life as a senior coach especially with the type of football that he promises he will play.

Speaking on his tactical philosophy last year he said, “I want my team to be really attacking because then you have the best chance of winning. But every coach has to throw his own sauce over his team’s attacking football – and that is what I am doing.”

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