Heerenveen suffers record 9-1 defeat under new coach Van Persie
- Heerenveen, under new coach Robin van Persie, suffered a record 9-1 defeat against AZ Alkmaar in his fourth match in charge.
- Van Persie, who has experienced a similar heavy loss as a player, emphasized the importance of resilience and learning from setbacks.
- Despite the defeat, he plans to maintain his coaching approach and believes in the team's potential to improve.
Robin van Persie, in his first season as a top-flight coach, faced a significant challenge when his team, Heerenveen, suffered a record 9-1 defeat against AZ Alkmaar. This match, which took place on a Saturday, marked Van Persie's fourth game in charge and highlighted the difficulties of transitioning from player to coach. Despite the heavy loss, he emphasized the importance of resilience in football, stating that setbacks are part of the journey. Van Persie reflected on his own experiences, recalling a similar defeat of 8-2 while playing for Arsenal against Manchester United. He acknowledged that such losses are tough but are integral to the learning process in football. The coach maintained that he would not alter his approach despite the defeat, believing in the value of perseverance and ownership of the situation. In the first half of the match, Heerenveen was competitive, trailing only 2-1 at halftime. Van Persie noted that a strong start to the second half was crucial, but AZ Alkmaar capitalized on their momentum, scoring three quick goals that demoralized his team. The coach's philosophy centers on maintaining focus and commitment, even in challenging times. He believes that the team must continue to adhere to their agreed strategies, regardless of the scoreline. Van Persie's commitment to his principles and the belief in his players' potential will be vital as they move forward from this setback.