Feyenoord has fired Robin van Persie as manager just over a year into his tenure, the Dutch club announced on Sunday. Van Persie will not be in charge when Feyenoord begin their 2026-27 campaign.
The club released a brief statement on X thanking the former Arsenal striker for his work. "Feyenoord will start the 2026-2027 season with a new head coach," the statement read. "The club would like to thank Robin van Persie for everything he gave during his time as head coach."
Van Persie returned to Feyenoord, the club where he began his career, in February 2025. His dismissal came despite a second-place finish in the Eredivisie this season and qualification for next year's UEFA Champions League, achievements that ordinarily might have secured his future.
Devy Rigaux, Feyenoord's newly appointed technical director, explained the decision in a statement. "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," Rigaux said. "The conclusion was that it is better to start the next season with a new head coach."
The decision signals that despite outward success, Feyenoord's board felt Van Persie's tactical approach and the team's trajectory did not meet their standards. The club will now begin their search for a replacement manager ahead of the 2026-27 season.
