Van Persie, 40, who is the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer, has signed a two-year contract and will start his first managerial role this summer.
Since retiring in 2019, Van Persie has worked as an assistant coach at Feyenoord and managed the club’s under-18 and under-19 teams.
“I want to continue developing, and being a head coach fits perfectly with that goal,” said Van Persie, who was part of the Manchester United team that won the Premier League in 2013.
“Heerenveen is a great club with a rich history and loyal supporters. It’s a fantastic challenge to contribute to the club’s ambitions and development.”
Current Heerenveen coach Kees van Wonderen announced in March that he would leave at the end of his contract.
Van Persie, regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, began his career as a winger at Feyenoord, making his senior debut in the 2001-02 season, which ended with a UEFA Cup victory. He was named Dutch Football Talent of the Year in 2002.
After five years at Feyenoord, he joined Arsenal in 2004 as a long-term replacement for Dennis Bergkamp.
Under Arsène Wenger, he transitioned to a striker and became a prolific goalscorer for Arsenal, scoring a club record of 35 goals in 2011 and serving as captain in the 2011-12 season before moving to Manchester United in 2012. He won the Premier League and his second consecutive Premier League Golden Boot in his first season with United.
Following two injury-hit seasons, Van Persie left United for Fenerbahçe in 2015. In January 2018, he returned to Feyenoord and helped them win the Dutch Cup.
Van Persie earned over 100 caps and scored 50 goals for the Netherlands. He captained the national team from 2013 to 2015 and played in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups, as well as the 2008 and 2012 European Championships, reaching the World Cup final in 2010 and finishing third in 2014.
Van Persie, 40, who is the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer, has signed a two-year contract and will start his first managerial role this summer.
Since retiring in 2019, Van Persie has worked as an assistant coach at Feyenoord and managed the club’s under-18 and under-19 teams.
“I want to continue developing, and being a head coach fits perfectly with that goal,” said Van Persie, who was part of the Manchester United team that won the Premier League in 2013.
“Heerenveen is a great club with a rich history and loyal supporters. It’s a fantastic challenge to contribute to the club’s ambitions and development.”
Current Heerenveen coach Kees van Wonderen announced in March that he would leave at the end of his contract.
Van Persie, regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, began his career as a winger at Feyenoord, making his senior debut in the 2001-02 season, which ended with a UEFA Cup victory. He was named Dutch Football Talent of the Year in 2002.
After five years at Feyenoord, he joined Arsenal in 2004 as a long-term replacement for Dennis Bergkamp.
Under Arsène Wenger, he transitioned to a striker and became a prolific goalscorer for Arsenal, scoring a club record of 35 goals in 2011 and serving as captain in the 2011-12 season before moving to Manchester United in 2012. He won the Premier League and his second consecutive Premier League Golden Boot in his first season with United.
Following two injury-hit seasons, Van Persie left United for Fenerbahçe in 2015. In January 2018, he returned to Feyenoord and helped them win the Dutch Cup.
Van Persie earned over 100 caps and scored 50 goals for the Netherlands. He captained the national team from 2013 to 2015 and played in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups, as well as the 2008 and 2012 European Championships, reaching the World Cup final in 2010 and finishing third in 2014.
Source:
SC Heerenveen Official
