Feyenoord seeks new manager after Van Persie exit with top candidates eyed

Could Arne Slot make a spectacular return to Feyenoord?ČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Box to Box Pictures/Yannick Verhoeven

Feyenoord began the search for a new manager following Robin van Persie’s departure in June 2026. The Rotterdam club is considering top candidates including former coach Arne Slot, Oliver Glasner, and Walid Regragui to lead the team in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

The top candidates to replace Robin van Persie as Feyenoord manager include some well-known and promising figures in European football. Among the dream candidates are Arne Slot, Oliver Glasner, and Walid Regragui, all of whom bring distinct experiences that could help Feyenoord in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

Arne Slot is considered the frontrunner among fans, given his record as Feyenoord’s most successful coach of the 21st century. Slot’s tenure in Rotterdam was marked by winning the Dutch league, the Dutch Cup, and the Johan Cruyff Shield, as well as reaching a European final. Despite this history, a return for Slot remains uncertain since he is still a coveted coach following his Premier League success with Liverpool.

Oliver Glasner also appears high on the list of potential managers. Credit has been given to senior Dutch media speculating around his name, especially after his success with Crystal Palace, capturing the UEFA Conference League title in the latest season. Mestre Milan reportedly are interested in Glasner, making a return to Feyenoord less likely in view of potential moves to bigger leagues with better pay.

Walid Regragui represents another intriguing option. The former Moroccan national team manager led Morocco to the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup—the first African team to reach that milestone. Regragui’s spell ended in March 2026 due to exhaustion, but his record of 37 victories from 49 games stands out as a potentially valuable asset for Feyenoord’s ambitions in Europe.

Realistic candidates for Feyenoord

Below the group of dream candidates are more realistic picks like Dick Schreuder, Jon Dahl Tomasson, and Sebastien Pocognoli. Schreuder guided NEC Nijmegen to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in its history by finishing third in the Eredivisie during the 2025-26 season. Known for operating an attacking playing style resembling Jurgen Klopp’s organizational tactics, Schreuder has signaled that he is set to remain at NEC but could be swayed if Feyenoord made an offer.

Jon Dahl Tomasson is another notable manager familiar to Feyenoord supporters. The 49-year-old Dane played a major role at the club as a player, winning the UEFA Cup in 2002 and appearing in 208 matches for Rotterdam. As a coach, Tomasson led Malmö to back-to-back Swedish league titles in 2020 and 2021. Currently residing in the Netherlands, Tomasson’s experience is complemented by his local ties, with his son and the son of Robin van Persie both playing for Feyenoord.

Sebastien Pocognoli, who recently managed Monaco, bolstered Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to their first Belgian league title since the early 20th century. Although Pocognoli was dismissed at Monaco for not reaching the UEFA Champions League, his Belgian Pro League Manager of the Year accolade and familiarity with the Eredivisie through playing with AZ might make him a leading realistic contender for the Feyenoord role.

Dark horse candidates in consideration

In addition to the more familiar candidates, Feyenoord could explore young and ambitious managers connected to technical director Devy Rigaux. Will Still, known for his tenures with Stade Reims and RC Lens, is regarded as a promising prospect despite younger age and less established success internationally.

Paul Simonis, a youthful coach who once defeated odds bringing Go Ahead Eagles a KNVB Beker title in 2025 before an unsuccessful stint at Wolfsburg, may be open to joining Feyenoord in search of redemption. Likewise, former assistant coach Sandro Wagner, with recent experience alongside Julian Nagelsmann in the German national team setup and time managing FC Augsburg, maps as a modern technical candidate for the role, albeit as a dark horse.