Ruud Gullit, the esteemed former Ballon d'Or winner, has publicly endorsed Robin van Persie, the ex-Arsenal captain, as a potential future manager for Manchester United. Gullit expressed his hope that Van Persie will one day take the helm at Old Trafford, highlighting the Dutchman's growth into a "great manager" since retiring from playing.
Van Persie's Illustrious Playing Career
Robin van Persie first rose to prominence in English football after being signed by Arsene Wenger for Arsenal in 2004. During his time with the Gunners, he established himself as one of the club's most prolific goalscorers, netting 132 goals in 278 appearances. His achievements include setting records for the most goals in a Premier League season and a calendar year for Arsenal.
In 2012, Van Persie made a controversial switch to Manchester United, where he enjoyed three highly productive seasons. His debut campaign at Old Trafford was particularly memorable, as he scored 30 goals, helping Sir Alex Ferguson's side secure the Premier League title and earning him a second consecutive Golden Boot award. As a key member of the last Manchester United team to win the Premier League, Van Persie remains a beloved figure among the club's supporters.
Gullit's Managerial Endorsement
In an interview with Gambling Insider, Gullit shared his thoughts on Van Persie's managerial prospects. "It would be great if Robin van Persie became the manager of Manchester United in the future," Gullit stated. "I definitely hope that happens at some point! Robin is a great manager, but he's struggling a little bit at Feyenoord at the moment."
Gullit acknowledged the high expectations placed on Van Persie due to his stellar playing career, noting that this puts him under more scrutiny than other managers in the Eredivisie. "He's under fire over here in Holland at the moment, but I hope he's given time to rectify it and prove how good he is," Gullit added. He drew a parallel to Sir Alex Ferguson's early struggles at Manchester United, emphasising the importance of patience in managerial development.
Current Context at Manchester United
Manchester United are currently in the process of appointing a permanent replacement for Ruben Amorim, who was sacked last month. In the interim, Michael Carrick has taken temporary charge, overseeing four consecutive wins that have propelled the club back into the Champions League positions. The team recently secured a 2-0 victory over ten-man Tottenham and is set to face relegation-threatened West Ham in their next Premier League fixture.
Van Persie, now 43 years old, began his managerial career at Eredivisie side Heerenveen and has been at the helm of Dutch giants Feyenoord since the start of 2025. Despite the current challenges, Gullit remains optimistic about his compatriot's long-term potential, suggesting that a future role at Old Trafford could be a fitting next step in his managerial journey.
