Feyenoord dropped Robin van Persie after 16 months, ending his spell with the club on a high note yet short of league dominance. The former Arsenal and Manchester United striker guided the Rotterdam side to a second‑place finish and Champions League entry in his first full season, but the gap to PSV remained 19 points.

Van Persie’s 46 goals in 122 appearances mark his legacy as a player, yet his coaching tenure saw a decline in points and an evolving style that the club’s new technical director, Devy Rigaux, deemed unsatisfactory. Rigaux cited a “thorough internal analysis” that weighed style development against point totals across Europe and the Eredivisie.

The board’s decision followed Rigaux’s appointment as technical director and Robert Eenhoorn’s new role as general manager, signaling a fresh start for the club’s hierarchy. Van Persie departed after a brief nine‑month return to Feyenoord, having previously managed Heerenveen and spent eight years at Arsenal, where he lifted an FA Cup. Van Persie’s exit leaves a vacancy that demands a new tactical vision.

With Feyenoord now looking for a new head coach, the club’s trajectory will hinge on translating second‑place stability into a title challenge. The 42‑year‑old’s record of 19 points behind PSV underscores the competitive gulf in the Eredivisie. Feyenoord’s next appointment will be judged by its ability to close that gap and secure top‑flight glory.