Robin van Persie firmly believes the ‘door is closed’ on a possible return to Arsenal and says fans are ‘still sensitive’ about his Manchester United switch.
The Dutchman, 41, finished his playing career in 2019 and entered his first managerial job this year, becoming head coach of Eredivisie side Heerenveen.
Naturally, attentions have turned to which clubs Van Persie may wish to manage in the future, but he appears to have ruled out ever going back to north London.
Van Persie played for Arsenal from 2004 to 2012 and many at the club – especially Gunners fans – felt betrayed when he swapped the Emirates for Old Trafford.
Quizzed if there was a chance he could ever work at Arsenal in the future, Van Persie said: ‘I don’t expect to work at Arsenal. I think that door is closed.
‘Because of my switch to Manchester United, that is my assessment. You never know in football, but that is my assessment.
‘It is still sensitive for them, not for me. It is especially sensitive for the Arsenal fans.
‘I have learned that planning so far ahead makes no sense at all. I don’t want that either.
‘I mainly live in the here and now. I really enjoy it here and I am very proud to be the coach of SC Heerenveen.
‘I feel I feel very welcome within the club and among the fans. I also think that is important that you feel welcome.’
Van Persie produced 132 goals and 56 assists across 278 games for Arsenal and helped them clinch the FA Cup in 2005.
He then moved to United, scoring 58 times and providing 15 assists in 105 games, guiding the Red Devils to the Premier League title in 2013.
Van Persie, regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, is the all-time top scorer for the Netherlands national team, with 50 goals across 102 caps.
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