Robin van Persie believes the knowledge he gained while playing under Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger has equipped him for the challenge of managing Feyenoord.
The former Netherlands striker, who enjoyed successful spells at Arsenal and Manchester United, said both legendary managers left a lasting impression on his approach to leadership. Softfootball gathered that Van Persie intends to apply many of those lessons as he begins life on the touchline.
The Feyenoord boss revealed that one of Ferguson’s greatest strengths was always keeping his promises to players, a principle he now considers essential in building trust within a squad.
Van Persie explained, adding that credibility is vital for any manager hoping to earn the respect of players and staff; as he said:
If you promise something, you have to keep your word.
He also praised Wenger for the confidence and opportunities he consistently gave young footballers, saying that quality helped shape his own philosophy of player management.
Van Persie believes combining Ferguson’s discipline with Wenger’s faith in players provides a strong foundation for his coaching career as he looks to guide Feyenoord to success in the seasons ahead.
