Van Persie starts career as head coach at Heerenveen

THE HAGUE | Xinhua | SC Heerenveen on Friday appointed former Dutch international Robin van Persie as new head coach for the forthcoming two seasons.

For the 40-year-old van Persie, it is his first job as head coach in professional soccer. He signed a two-year contract as the club from the northern province of Friesland, currently on the 10th position in the Eredivisie, the Dutch top flight.

Van Persie, who replaces Kees van Wonderen as head coach at Heerenveen, retired as a soccer player at Feyenoord in 2019 and started his coaching career as an assistant and striker coach at Feyenoord. Currently he is the coach of Feyenoord U18. He had turned down an offer to coach Feyenoord U21 from next season.

Van Persie started his playing career at Feyenoord and subsequently played for Arsenal, Manchester United, Fenerbahce and Feyenoord again. He scored 50 goals in 102 international matches for the Netherlands, making him the all-time top scorer for “Oranje.” ■