Coach Robin van Persie (42) has become the new mentor of Hwang In-beom (29, Feyenoord).
Feyenoord announced on the 23rd (Korea Standard Time) through the club's official website that "van Persie is the new head coach of Feyenoord. The club has reached an immediate transfer agreement with Heerenveen, where he was managing the first team. Van Persie has signed a contract until the summer of 2027."
Rene Hake, the assistant coach, is also joining. Having served as the head coach under Eric ten Hag at Manchester United, he will now work with van Persie. Feyenoord noted, "Hake has gained extensive experience over the past 20 years at Emmen, Zwolle, Utrecht, Go Ahead Eagles, and Manchester United. He has also signed a contract until the summer of 2027."
Van Persie returned to his former team as a coach. He expressed, "I am proud and honored. Everyone knows how special my bond with Feyenoord is. I am very much looking forward to training and competing with a strong staff and team to achieve success together."
Dennis te Kloese, the Director General of Feyenoord, also welcomed the appointment, saying, "We are pleased to appoint a club icon as the new head coach. Van Persie knows the club well and understands exactly what is required to achieve results. He can help players improve based on his vast international experience. Van Persie's football philosophy perfectly aligns with the attacking and organized football we pursue, mixed with boldness and intensity."
Van Persie is a legendary forward from the Netherlands and the Premier League (PL). A product of Feyenoord, he transferred to Arsenal in 2004, making a remarkable impact by scoring 18 league goals in the 2010-2011 season. Although he often missed matches due to injuries, his scoring ability on the pitch was world-class.
Van Persie quickly established himself as a key player at Arsenal. He captained the team in the 2011-2012 season and had his best year, playing all 38 matches in the PL for the first time. His final tally was 30 league goals and 9 assists, with 37 goals in 48 official matches.
However, his time at Arsenal came to an end. In the summer of 2012, van Persie transferred to Manchester United, angering Arsenal fans further with his comment that "a small child inside me whispered." He scored 58 goals and provided 15 assists in 105 matches while wearing the Manchester United jersey, ultimately lifting the coveted PL trophy in the 2012-2013 season.
Following a decline in his prime, van Persie joined Fenerbahce in 2015 and returned to his former club Feyenoord in 2018. After one season, he retired from professional football. He retired as the all-time leading goalscorer for the Dutch national team (50 goals), marking the moment he stepped away from active play.
Van Persie quickly transformed into a coach. He worked as a coach for both the Feyenoord youth team and the first team. Rumors circulated that ten Hag, who was managing Manchester United, wanted van Persie, but he chose to stay with his former club.
Gaining experience, van Persie began his coaching career last summer by signing a two-year contract with Heerenveen. The start was not easy. However, van Persie found stability as he led the team back on track. Heerenveen, which usually concluded the season in mid-table, is currently 9th among the 18 teams in the Eredivisie.
In search of a new head coach, Feyenoord spotted van Persie, a club legend. Earlier this month, they dismissed coach Priske. The club had hoped that Priske would adequately fill the gap left by Arne Slot, who departed for Liverpool, but the separation occurred after about six months.
Now, Feyenoord prepares for a new era with coach van Persie. Pascal Boshart, who led the team as an interim coach, is expected to return to manage the under-21 (U-21) team.
Attention is also focused on Hwang In-beom's future standing. He has been a key asset since joining Feyenoord this season, quickly earning the trust of coach Priske. He has established himself as an indispensable player in Feyenoord's midfield.
However, Hwang In-beom has frequently been absent due to recent conditioning issues and injuries. He is currently resting and preparing for his return. Under coach van Persie, Hwang In-beom needs to make a strong impression again.
Meanwhile, Feyenoord will face 'Serie A 1st place' Inter Milan in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League (UCL). Having already eliminated AC Milan, Feyenoord now has to take down another team from Milan.