Van Persie sacked by Feyenoord after 15 months in charge

Robin van Persie has been sacked by Feyenoord following an underwhelming 2025-26 campaign, the club confirmed on Sunday. 

Feyenoord finished second in the Eredivisie, which was enough to qualify for the Champions League next season, but ended up 19 points behind runaway champions PSV. 

The 42-year-old, who was only appointed as Brian Priske’s successor in February 2025, won 30 of his 50 matches in charge across all competitions (D9 L19). 

Van Persie’s dismissal follows the appointment ​of a new general manager, Robert ​Eenhoorn, and technical director Devy Rigaux at the club. 

“Robin van Persie has given everything for the club in the past 1.5 years,” Rigaux said in a statement on Feyenoord’s website.

“He certainly deserves credit for ending a difficult season with second place in the end. With that, Champions League football was secured, which is, of course, very important.

“We have conducted a thorough analysis. We have included the development of the game delivered and the downward trend in terms of points, both in Europe and the Eredivisie.

“The conclusion was that it would be better to start next season with a new head coach.”

Feyenoord parts ways with Robin van Persie

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. pic.twitter.com/P9UkuUGUnv

— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) June 7, 2026

During Van Persie’s time in charge, it was reported that he had several run-ins with some of his players, most notably Quinten Timber, who has since joined Marseille. 

He also made the decision to bring in Raheem Sterling after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent in January, but he managed just one assist in eight games for the club. 

Feyenoord have not won the Eredivisie since 2022-23 under recently-departed Liverpool boss Arne Slot, and said a replacement would be announced in the coming weeks.