Robin van Persie could stand up against the former club Arsenal in the Champions League Last-16 if he accepts the Feyenoord job after the Dutch side had achieved a famous victory over AC Milan in the play-offs.
The ex-striker currently manages the Eredivisie-Kant Heerenveen, who are ninth in the table, but he can stand in line for a switch to former employers Feyenoord after they have fired Brian Priske.
Feyenoord decided to Priske – the successor to Arne Slot after his departure to Liverpool – just a few days before their Champions League play – off second leg collision against Milan, with the team 14 points behind leaders Ajax in the table.
But incredible, Feyenoord still gave the victory over their Serie A counterparts after their 1-0 first leg. Former Feyenoord star Santiago Gimenez released the scores in the first minute in the first minute before a late attack by Julian Carranza ensured that the Dutch outfit would play in the last 16.
Feyenoord will now wait for their opponents in the next round, who will be Arsenal or the winner of Juventus against PSV. If they play Arsenal and take the job from Persie, it would give him a hostile reunion after playing 278 times with the Emirates.
The club has made a double dive for Van Persie and Erik ten Hag's former assistant Rene Hake, both represented by the same Bureau Sports Entertainment Group.
Van Persie has history with Feyenoord and is a favorite with fans, after he has started and ended his career at the club before he coached the Onder-19-year-olds last season.
It is understood that negotiations will soon take place between Feyenoord and Heerenveen to release Van Persie from his contract. Hake was recently seen with Feyenoord's famous 3-0 win over Bayern Munich in January – teased that he could play a role at the club.
Feyenoord coaches Etienne Reijnen and John de Wolf are expected to stay at the club as part of a new management setup.
While Van Persie is considered the best choice of Feyenoord to become the next boss, Shakhtar coach Marino Pusic and Mark van Bommel are also linked to the post.
Van Persie withdrew from football in 2019 after spells with Arsenal, Manchester United and Fenerbahce before he made his first relocations in Coaching – starting as an assistant manager of Dick Advocaat in Feyenoord in 2020 before he took the youth team work. He also spent time learning the ropes with the coaching staff of Tien Hag at United.
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