Rotterdam, Netherlands – FeyenoordTeam·Feyenoord has officially parted ways with manager Robin van PersieCoach·Robin van Persie, a move confirmed on June 7, 2026. The decision arrives unexpectedly, given that Van Persie successfully guided the club to a second-place finish in the EredivisieCompetition·Eredivisie, thereby securing a coveted spot in the upcoming 2026/27 UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League.
Van Persie's tenure, which commenced in February 2025, saw FeyenoordTeam·Feyenoord conclude the 2025/26 EredivisieCompetition·Eredivisie season with 65 points from 34 matches. This placed them 19 points adrift of champions PSV EindhovenTeam·PSV Eindhoven, with a league record of 19 wins, 8 draws, and 7 losses. The team scored 70 goals while conceding 44.
The season was marked by significant fluctuations in form. FeyenoordTeam·Feyenoord began strongly, accumulating 25 points from their initial nine EredivisieCompetition·Eredivisie fixtures. However, a challenging period ensued between October and January, during which the team managed only three wins across 14 games in all competitions. This dip included an early exit from the Dutch CupCompetition·Dutch Cup, suffering a 3-2 home defeat to Heerenveen in the second round, and a difficult campaign in the UEFA Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League, where they lost six of their eight group stage matches. Such inconsistency led to growing discontent among the fanbase, with banners calling for Van Persie's departure appearing as early as February.
Despite a late-season resurgence that ultimately secured Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League football, the club's leadership opted for a change. Devy Rigaux, FeyenoordTeam·Feyenoord's technical director, who recently joined the club alongside incoming general manager RobertPlayer·Robert Eenhoorn, elaborated on the decision in a club statement.
"Robin van Persie has given his all for the club over the past year and a half. He certainly deserves credit for seeing out a difficult season and ultimately finishing in second place. That secured Champions League football, which is, of course, very important."— Devy Rigaux.
Rigaux further explained the rationale behind the dismissal, citing a comprehensive internal analysis. "This included looking at the development of our performances and the downward trend in points, both in Europe and in the EredivisieCompetition·Eredivisie. The conclusion was that we would be better off starting the next season with a new head coach." The club's ambition to challenge for the league title, as expressed by Van Persie earlier in the season, appears to have factored into this assessment.
Amidst a form crisis in December 2025, Van Persie had publicly defended his position, stating, "I feel at home here. I feel comfortable. In good times, but also when things are not going so well. I feel that I am the right person for this job." He also acknowledged the team's aspirations: "We really want to win the league. We are now five points ahead of the number three, which is a realistic position when you look at the squads. So if you ask me, is our ambition to finish second? No, we want to be champions. But we are where we should be."
Van Persie's contract was originally set to run until the summer of 2027, and its early termination is anticipated to involve a significant financial settlement. FeyenoordTeam·Feyenoord has yet to announce a successor for the managerial role, leaving the club to navigate the summer transfer window and pre-season preparations under new leadership.
Feyenoord's Sem Steijn and Sparta Rotterdam's Mitchell van Bergen. Box to Box Pictures/IMAGO
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