Not Cut Out to Be a Manager? After Heavy Defeat, Van Persie’s Heerenveen Loses Again

In the early hours of September 19, in the rescheduled third round of the Eredivisie matches, SC Heerenveen lost 0-2 to FC Twente, and head coach Robin van Persie is facing mounting pressure.

Van Persie’s team is going through a tough period. Following a 1-9 defeat by AZ Alkmaar, Heerenveen’s form has continued to decline. This marks the third loss for Van Persie and his team this season, with the club slipping to 15th place in the league table.

After the 1-9 defeat, Van Persie had firmly stated that he and his players were “completely unaffected” and promised a swift recovery, continuing with the strategy set at the beginning of the season. However, Heerenveen suffered another setback in their away match against FC Twente. In the first half, Sander Svilar scored twice for Twente, virtually sealing their victory. The score remained 2-0 until the final whistle.

Data from the match suggests that Heerenveen’s performance was not poor. They had 50% possession, attempted 12 shots with 4 on target, and an expected goals (xG) value of 1.19. In contrast, FC Twente had 18 shots, 9 on target, and an xG of 2.75, demonstrating their superior offensive efficiency.

Van Persie’s Heerenveen seems yet to recover from the shadow of the 9-1 defeat by AZ Alkmaar. With only five rounds of the season played, Van Persie is already feeling the pressure from all sides. This weekend, Heerenveen will face FC Groningen, who are in good form with 9 points and currently sit 4th in the league table.

If they lose again, it will not only put Heerenveen in greater danger but could also lead to questions about Van Persie’s position as manager. The 41-year-old Van Persie took over Heerenveen in the summer of 2024. Previously, he served as assistant coach at Feyenoord and managed the club’s youth academy.