Robin van Persie could knock Arsenal out of the Champions League as ex-striker wanted by rivals as manager

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Robin van Persie could be set to haunt Arsenal once again as the former striker is being eyed up for another big managerial shift in his career.

The Dutchman has a strange place in history at the club, with his impressive early days capturing the hearts of the Gunners.

However, Robin van Persie’s subsequent transfer to Manchester United tarnished that, turning him into something of a villain at the Emirates Stadium.

The striker went on to win the Premier League title with the Red Devils, spending three years at Old Trafford before leaving for Fenerbahce.

While Van Persie has called an end to his playing career in the years since, he could come back to bite Arsenal again, this time on the managerial stage.

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Feyenoord want Robin van Persie as manager, he could face Arsenal in Champions League

In his years since retiring, like many players, Van Persie has taken up coaching and worked his way into helping guide teams onto the pitch with his experience of big occasions.

The former striker began at his old club Feyenoord, where he was a coach with the backroom staff before he took a chance at managing the youth teams.

In July 2024 he took his first chance at senior management, taking over Heerenveen in the Eredivisie as head coach.

A two-year deal was signed with the plan to help him develop into the next stage of his career.

Well that next move may have come sooner than he, or many others, would’ve expected as Dutch outlet 1908 reports that Feyenoord are looking to bring Van Persie back to the club as the head coach.

It has been a bizarre season for De Kuip, who replaced Arne Slot – who joined Liverpool in the summer – with Brian Priske.

His dismissal has left Pascal Bosschaart as the interim boss while the search continues for the next permanent appointment.

If Van Persie does join, he will be dealing with something of an injury crisis, but also a chance at the Champions League.

Feyenoord edged past AC Milan in the play-off rounds with a 2-1 aggregate score, putting them into the round of 16.

There, they are one of three potential opponents for Arsenal, which could see Van Persie return to haunt his old side if the stars align, offering him a chance to knock them out depending on the draw that is served up.

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Robin van Persie management statistics so far

In his first season of management, Van Persie has something of a mixed record at Heerenveen as he continues to learn on the job.

His side are currently in mid-table, with 27 points picked up 23 games in the Eredivisie – keeping them seven points clear of relegation but 13 points off of Europe.

Across all competitions, there have been a couple of cup wins to add to his record, making the overall return look a little better.

Whether he can adjust to the increased pressure at a side like Feyenoord remains to be seen, but it could be a huge jump to make so early in his career.