Van Persie’s Feyenoord Coaching Debut Ends in Frustrating Draw Against NEC

Robin van Persie endured a frustrating start as manager of Feyenoord as they were restricted to a scoreless stalemate at home by NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie on Saturday.

Van Persie was appointed last weekend as fresh coach of Feyenoord after last month’s dismissal of the Dane Brian Priske.

The 41-year-old Van Persie’s illustrious playing career started and concluded at Feyenoord and he received a hearty reception on his return to De Kuip, where he had been an academy squad coach until the end of last term, when he departed for a first managerial role at Heerenveen.

Feyenoord invested to bring back Van Persie, who also featured at Arsenal and Manchester United and netted a record 50 goals in 102 matches for the Netherlands.

The stalemate kept Feyenoord in fourth position in the table, missing out on a possibility to climb above Utrecht into third place.

Feyenoord‘s home result followed a setback for champions PSV Eindhoven at Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday, which means Ajax Amsterdam can move eight points ahead if they triumph at Almere City on Sunday.

Van Persie and Feyenoord now shift focus to their Champions League last-16 clash against Inter Milan. They welcome the Italian powerhouse in the first leg on Wednesday.