Dutch club Feyenoord have announced the departure of head coach Robin van Persie, confirming that the team will begin the 2026/27 season under new leadership.
In a statement posted on the club’s official X account on Sunday, the Rotterdam side said: “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.”
Van Persie, who returned to his boyhood club in February 2025 on a contract running until 2027, leaves after guiding Feyenoord to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie and securing qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Feyenoord’s newly appointed technical director, Devy Rigaux, praised the former Netherlands, Arsenal and Manchester United striker for his contribution but said the decision followed an internal review of the team’s performance trajectory.
“Robin van Persie has given everything for the club over the past 1.5 years. He certainly deserves credit for concluding a difficult season with a second-place finish, which secured Champions League football,” Rigaux said.
He added that the club’s analysis considered style of play and a decline in results across both domestic and European competitions.
“The conclusion was that it is better to start the next season with a new head coach,” he said.
Despite finishing second in the league, Feyenoord ended the campaign 19 points behind champions PSV Eindhoven and struggled for consistency throughout the season.
Van Persie, 42, won 30 of his 58 matches in charge during his 16-month tenure.
