Van Persie set to return to Turkey as technical director

In the warm hall of De Kuip the scent of recent turbulent football still lingered, when Robin van Persie, the legendary former international, suddenly reappeared in the spotlight. This summer he was sidelined by Feyenoord, but now he seems to be considering a new step towards Turkey.

Feyenoord period ends abruptly

Van Persie was pushed aside this summer as manager of Feyenoord, after he was poached mid‑season 2024/2025 from SC Heerenveen. His marriage to the Rotterdam youth love proved to work better as a player than as a manager, and he soon received criticism from players such as Gjivai Zechiël, Quilindschy Hartman and Justin Bijlow.

The most striking incident involved Quinten Timber, who, according to rumours, stood head‑to‑head with Van Persie's in the dressing room of De Kuip. The clash led to a sweeping boardroom change: Dennis te Kloese left his roles as technical and general director, Dévy Rigaux and Robert Eenhoorn took over the positions, and their first act was the removal of Van Persie.

New opportunities at Fenerbahçe

Turkish media reported earlier this week that Van Persie is firmly on the radar of his former club Fenerbahçe. Although Ismail Kartal recently held a press conference to resign, that decision was reversed, leaving no permanent manager appointed yet.

The Turkish press now suggests that Van Persie could be approached for the role of technical director. He played 87 matches for Fenerbahçe and scored 36 goals, and the club is, according to reports, looking for a fresh wind.

Looking back and broader significance

Last year Feyenoord met Fenerbahçe in the Champions League qualification, which saw Van Persie set foot on Turkish soil again for the first time. “It’s great to be back in Turkey. This really feels like home to me,” he said later.

He recalled how in 2004 he moved from Feyenoord to Arsenal and then realized he was still a young player who had to prove himself. “During my time in England I realized: there are many better players. I had to be humble,” Van Persie explained in an interview with Flashscore.

With young talents like Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız still needing extra work to reach the world elite, Van Persie sees himself possibly as the man who can facilitate that step. A potential return to Turkey would not only mean a new chapter for him, but also a fresh boost for the Turkish national team.