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 go away the Gunners and be a part of their rivals Manchester United.
The transfer, which helped Sir Alex Ferguson’s aspect win the 2012-13 Premier League title, remains to be seen as some of the vital 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 expect to work at Arsenal. I think that door is closed because of my switch to Manchester United, that is my assessment,” Van Persie said.
Whereas the previous striker admitted that “nothing is ever certain in football,” he conceded that the lingering resentment from Arsenal followers makes a possible return extremely unlikely. “It is still sensitive for them, not for me. It is especially sensitive for the Arsenal fans. I have learned that planning so far ahead makes no sense at all.”
Since taking cost of Heerenveen in Might 2023, Van Persie has overseen a combined begin to the season, with the workforce at the moment sitting twelfth within the Eredivisie desk.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman stays targeted on his present position, stating: “I really enjoy it here and I am very proud to be the coach of SC Heerenveen. I feel very welcome within the club and among the fans.”
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 finally paid off with a Premier League title.
However the scars of that controversial switch seem to stay, making a possible homecoming to the Emirates Stadium an unlikely prospect for the previous striker-turned-manager.
