Robin van Persie to stay in charge at Feyenoord following emergency board meeting
The Feyenoord board has decided that Robin van Persie will continue in his role as first team manager after an emergency meeting was called following Feyenoord’s 3-3 draw away to NAC Breda on Sunday. Pressure is mounting on the former striker as a result of what many consider underwhelming performances.
Feyenoord’s traveling supporters in Breda made their feelings on the matter known on Sunday with chants calling for Van Persie to resign. Despite the criticism, Feyenoord is currently second, which would be enough for a spot in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers for next season.
Feyenoord made a promising start to the season, but their form has dovetailed over recent months, which also led to elimination in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League. What looked like a title challenge earlier in the season has now led to a fight for second, with league leaders PSV currently 19 points ahead of the Rotterdammers.
Van Persie cut an agitated figure during the post-match press conference after the NAC game. Feyenoord had a chance to increase the gap to arch-rivals Ajax after the Amsterdammers had lost to FC Groningen a day before.
The manager clashed with journalists after they had criticized the team’s performance and game plan. Van Persie argued with Martijn Krabbendam of Voetbal International, telling the journalist that he was ignoring the positives and maintained that Feyenoord had played well at times, even though the team conceded three goals against a side battling relegation.
After a while, Van Persie responded sharply, directly asking Krabbendam, “Are you expecting me to agree with you or what?”
Regarding the chants from the Feyenoord fans, he stated firmly, “I am not someone who gives up. I believe in myself.”
Feyenoord has two emotionally loaded games coming up in the next two weeks. First, they play a Rotterdam derby, hosting Excelsior at home, before facing Ajax in De Kuip on March 22. They are currently three points ahead of NEC Nijmegen, and five points ahead of FC Twente and Ajax.
