Feyenoord have dismissed head coach Robin van Persie after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, despite securing Champions League qualification. The team ended second in the Eredivisie but finished 19 points behind champions PSV, and club leaders decided a different coach should guide the 2026-27 season.
The change follows significant moves in the club’s hierarchy, with Robert Eenhoorn appointed general manager and Devy Rigaux arriving as technical director. Their review of results and performances led to Sunday’s announcement that Van Persie’s contract was terminated after less than two seasons in charge.
Van Persie had stepped in as Brian Priske’s successor in February 2025 and oversaw 50 matches across all competitions. Under Van Persie, Feyenoord
recorded 30 wins, nine draws and 19 defeats, numbers that the new leadership felt did not support long-term ambitions at domestic or European level.
Feyenoord’s league finish secured a place in next season’s Champions League, yet the scale of the gap to PSV raised concern. The team had also shown a decline in points return in both Eredivisie and European games, which featured heavily in the club’s post-season evaluation.
During Van Persie’s tenure, reports in the Netherlands highlighted tensions within the squad. The most discussed incident involved Quinten Timber, who later left Feyenoord for Marseille. Such episodes added to questions about dressing-room harmony as the season moved towards its final stages.
Van Persie also backed the signing of Raheem Sterling, who arrived after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent in January. Sterling struggled to influence matches, registering only one assist in eight appearances, and the move drew scrutiny as Feyenoord’s form tailed off.
Rigaux explained the club’s verdict on the coach’s work and the performance data that shaped the final call. "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 andthe 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/P9UkuUGUnvFeyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) June 7, 2026
Feyenoord have not lifted the Eredivisie title since 2022-23, when Arne Slot, now recently departed from Liverpool, led the club to the championship. Officials confirmed that a successor to Van Persie will be named in the coming weeks as planning continues for the 2026-27 season.
