The impending arrival of Robin van Persie (40) creates enthusiasm and expectations at SC Heerenveen. His status as an iconic striker is well known. But how good is he as a trainer?
It was halfway through the second half between SC Heerenveen and PSV, on Thursday evening in the Abe Lenstra stadium. Heerenveen faced a huge deficit, which would ultimately result in a historic 0-8 defeat. And then there was singing, started by the fanatical supporters.
‘Ooooh Robin van Persie.’
For those who were still in doubt: Heerenveen is looking forward to the arrival of Robin van Persie. The combination between the all-time top scorer of the Dutch team and Heerenveen? It stimulates curiosity and creates enthusiasm. With supporters, but also internally at Heerenveen and the football world in general.
With Van Persie, who will soon sign a two-year contract, Heerenveen is bringing in a big name. His arrival is comparable to that of Marco van Basten, also an iconic striker in Dutch football history, who coached the club between 2012 and 2014.
“If Van Persie wants to become a trainer, Heerenveen is a great club to start with,” Van Basten recently said at Ziggo. “The club has a good level. You also have good opportunities to work there.”
Cleaning in the selection
The latter is the question. Heerenveen will also have a significant operational deficit next season, although this will reportedly be reduced from around 7 to 5 million euros. Yet Heerenveen still has to sell players – read: Osame Sahraoui – to close the financial gaps.
In addition to the wing attacker, many more footballers are leaving this summer. However, that also offers opportunities. With this selection, apart from a few matches, the shot has been out of the coke for months.
The majority of this team is ready at Heerenveen. Some want to move up, or have an adventure abroad. Others want to leave because they are dissatisfied with their lack of playing time and perspective. A handful of rented players are sure that their future lies outside the Abe Lenstra stadium.
Above all, Heerenveen is longing for new impetus after two extremely inconsistent seasons under Kees van Wonderen. To freshness. To courage and adventure.
Expectations
Robin van Persie meets these characteristics at first glance. The other side? Heerenveen will be his first job as head coach, but performances are also expected in the Abe Lenstra stadium, coupled with attractive football and talent development.
People who worked with him say that Van Persie is a future top trainer. At Heerenveen, general manager Ferry de Haan and the supervisory board were also convinced.
But how good coach Van Persie actually is? How will he manage a selection of approximately 26 players and an extensive coaching staff? Can he convey his ideas, based on his experiences at the international top, to significantly less talented players? How approachable is he, also to the club’s employees, supporters and volunteers – something that also weighs heavily at Heerenveen?
Success guarantee
And how does he deal with setbacks and criticism? Van Persie is used to winning, while a Heerenveen coach can also lose a few matches in a row.
Seen in this way, Van Persie’s arrival is a gamble. At the same time you can also ask the question: who is a guarantee for success? After all, Heerenveen thought it would acquire such a trainer with Van Wonderen two years ago.
What is indisputable: Heerenveen opts for attack with Van Persie. It remains to be seen how that choice will turn out, but it is certainly daring.
Tags: Robin van Persie Heerenveen chooses attack club takes gamble opinion Sander Vries
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