In a revealing interview, former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has poured chilly water on the prospect of ever returning to the membership as a coach, citing the lingering resentment from Gunners followers over his controversial 2012 switch to Manchester United.
Van Persie, who joined Arsenal in 2004 and went on to win the Premier League Participant of the Season award in 2011-12, made the divisive choice to depart the Gunners and be a part of their rivals Manchester United.
The transfer, which helped Sir Alex Ferguson’s facet win the 2012-13 Premier League title, remains to be considered as one of the crucial important betrayals in latest soccer historical past.
Now embarking on his first position as a head coach with SC Heerenveen within the Eredivisie, the 41-year-old Dutchman acknowledged the sensitivity surrounding his Arsenal exit.
“I don’t anticipate to work at Arsenal. I believe that door is closed due to my swap to Manchester United, that’s my evaluation,” Van Persie said.
Whereas the previous striker admitted that “nothing is ever sure in soccer,” he conceded that the lingering resentment from Arsenal fans makes a possible return extremely unlikely. “It’s nonetheless delicate for them, not for me. It’s particularly delicate for the Arsenal followers. I’ve discovered that planning thus far forward is mindless in any respect.”
Since taking cost of Heerenveen in Might 2023, Van Persie has overseen a combined begin to the season, with the staff at present sitting twelfth within the Eredivisie desk.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman stays targeted on his present position, stating: “I actually get pleasure from it right here and I’m very proud to be the coach of SC Heerenveen. I really feel very welcome inside the membership and among the many followers.”
Van Persie’s departure from Arsenal in 2012 was a watershed second in his profession, as he swapped the Gunners for his or her bitter rivals Manchester United in a transfer that in the end paid off with a Premier League title.
However the scars of that controversial transfer seem to stay, making a possible homecoming to the Emirates Stadium an unlikely prospect for the previous striker-turned-manager.
