Robin van Persie has taken his first role in senior management after the former Manchester United and Arsenal forward was appointed head coach of SC Heerenveen.
Van Persie has been working with former club Feyenoord as part of the club’s youth set-up but will now take his first steps into senior football.
Heerenveen are 10th in the Eredivisie table heading into the final weekend and Van Persie said he is looking forward to the ‘fantastic challenge’ of leading a side with ‘rich tradition’.
“The coaching profession is comprehensive and challenging, and I practice it with a lot of passion and pleasure,” he said. “I would like to continue my development and the role of head coach fits perfectly with that goal.
“I am therefore delighted with the opportunity that SC Heerenveen offers me. SC Heerenveen is a very nice Eredivisie club with a rich tradition and loyal supporters. It is a fantastic challenge to be able to contribute to the sporting ambitions and development of the club as head coach.”
Van Persie spent eight seasons at Arsenal before joining Manchester United in a controversial £24m deal in 2012. His debut season saw him win the Premier League’s Golden Boot as the Red Devils won the Premier League title, having also finished as the league’s leading scorer in his final campaign at Arsenal.
The 40-year-old is the all-time leading scorer for the Netherlands with 50 goals in 102 appearances for the Oranje.
