Heerenveen Appoint Former Club NXT Manager Robin Veldman as Replacement for Robin van Persie

Robin Veldman has been appointed as the new head coach of sc Heerenveen, with the Frisian club announcing the news on Friday afternoon.

Heerenveen has been on the lookout for a head coach since Robin van Persie’s exit to Feyenoord on February 23rd. The former Premier League star departed after a nine-month tenure to succeed the dismissed Brian Priske in Rotterdam.

Veldman began his coaching journey at Heerenveen in 2006 as an intern and spent eleven years there before moving on to Ajax. The 39-year-old has also held various roles at Belgian side Anderlecht, including U21 manager, caretaker, and assistant coach. He then took charge of Scottish club Queen’s Park and later managed Club NXT, the U23 team of Club Brugge, which competes in the Belgian second division.

“I am extremely proud to return here as manager,” Veldman remarked on the club’s website. “My time spent in the youth academy, coupled with my international experiences, has provided me with invaluable lessons. It feels particularly special to take on this role now.”

“The club has a definite vision and ambition, which resonates deeply with me. I am eager to work with the staff and players to create a team that embodies attractive, recognisable, and competitive football.”

Heerenveen finds itself in 10th place in the Dutch Eredivisie, accumulating 31 points from 26 matches. They are aiming for a position in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs, currently trailing eighth-placed Fortuna Sittard by just one point.

Veldman will officially take the helm as head coach on Monday, March 24th. His debut match in charge will be away against third-placed FC Utrecht on Sunday, March 30th.