Robin van Persie agrees return to Feyenoord with Erik ten Hag's former Man Utd assistant set to join ex-Arsenal star

The 41-year-old will depart Heerenveen, where he has only been in charge since the summer, to take on his new role with the club where it all began as a player, according to Voetbal International. They felt they could not deny him the move.

Van Persie began and ended his professional career at Feyenoord, scoring 46 goals in 122 appearances. He is at the very beginning of his coaching career but the chance to take over at his "first love" has proved too difficult to ignore.

Van Persie is likely to be appointed alongside a more senior assistant, set to be former Manchester United coach Rene Hake. A member of Erik ten Hag's coaching staff at Old Trafford, Hake will be joined by John de Wolf and Etienne Reijnen, who remain as assistants after the departure of interim boss Pascal Bosschaart.

Feyenoord have progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they could face Van Persie's former club Arsenal. They are also fourth in the Eredivisie table, aiming to qualify for Europe again.