Robin van Persie has rejected suggestions his job at Feyenoord is at risk after their dismal run of form continued over the weekend.
The former Man United and Arsenal star was appointed as Feyenoord boss last February, marking his first major managerial role, joining the Dutch giants from Heerenveen.
After finishing third last season, the expectation was for Feyenoord to provide more of a challenge to the reigning champions PSV Eindhoven this campaign.
A 3-0 defeat to PSV on Sunday saw Feyenoord fall further off the pace this season, with Van Persie’s side now 17 points adrift of the runaway leaders.
Questions were raised about Van Persie’s future post-match, despite his side lying second in the table, following a run of one win in their last six league matches.
Feyenoord have also crashed out of the Europa League after losing six and winning just two of their league phase matches.
Robin van Persie has insisted he will not resign from his role as Feyenoord head coach
Feyenoord were beaten 3-0 by runaway league leaders PSV Eindhoven on Sunday
Van Persie reportedly insisted he would not resign and can turn around the club’s form after being questioned about his position following their latest defeat.
‘You’ll have to ask the club management,’ Van Persie said, as reported by De Telegraaf, when asked about the hierarchy’s view.
He added: ‘I’m disappointed, I feel responsible, and I literally am, of course.
‘What I saw today against PSV is very disappointing.
‘At the same time, we played against a very good team. But overall, it was bad on my part, and it was bad on our part.’
Van Persie was defended by the club’s captain Timon Wellenreuther, who stressed that the players had failed to execute their head coach’s plan again PSV.
Wellenreuther also pointed to Feyenoord’s injury list as he attempted to defend their recent run of results.
‘We’re not a top team right now. We’ve had a lot of injuries and still have them, but that’s no excuse now. You saw that PSV is a top team; we really need to do much better.’
‘It was really our fault against PSV. We, the players on the pitch, failed. The coach had a great plan, but you can’t see that if you don’t win a single duel, don’t follow your man, and don’t execute what the coach says.
‘The real problem was on the pitch itself. If we as players don’t fight hard enough, it’s not the coach’s fault.’
Van Persie comforted his son Shaqueel last week after he appeared to suffer a serious injury
Feyenoord revealed on the weekend that Shaqueel will not have to undergo surgery following a knee injury
Last week, Van Persie made headlines as he comforted his son Shaqueel after he was stretchered off during Feyenoord’s Europa League defeat with Real Betis.
Van Persie was seen kneeling down to touch Shaqueel on the shoulder, and spoke to him closely as he was attended to by medical staff.
The injury had come just days after Shaqueel, 19, had scored his first goals of his professional career.
Van Persie had expressed fears post-match that his son had suffered a serious injury, but those concerns were allayed this weekend after further tests by the club’s medical staff.
‘Shaqueel van Persie’s injury has undergone further medical examination,’ a club statement read.
‘The medical findings are positive and indicate that surgery is not necessary.
‘The rehabilitation process has already begun, and it is realistic that he will still be able to play some playing time this season.
