Next Feyenoord manager contenders

Feyenoord have commenced their search for a new manager following the sacking of Robin van Persie.

The former Arsenal and Manchester United striker was relieved of his duties following an Eredivisie season which saw Feyenoord achieve UEFA Champions League qualification by finishing second, albeit 19 points adrift of champions PSV Eindhoven.

Devy Rigaux, who was appointed technical director of the Rotterdam outfit at the end of May, revealed the decision to sack Van Persie was made following an internal review which took into account the club's declining points total and style of play.

"Robin van Persie has given everything for the club over the past 1.5 years. He certainly deserves credit for concluding a difficult season with a final second-place finish," said Rigaux.

"We conducted a thorough internal analysis. The conclusion was that it is better to start the next season with a new head coach."

We take a look at the contenders to become the next manager of Feyenoord.

Arne Slot

Following a lacklustre season which culminated in a bitter end to his Liverpool tenure, could we see an Arne Slot homecoming materialise?

The Dutch tactician was adored during his three years in the dugout at De Kuip, winning the club's first Eredivisie title in six years before guiding them to success in the KNVB Cup in the subsequent campaign. Slot also reached a European final with Feyenoord, and is the club's most successful coach in the 21st century.

There's great intrigue as to what step Slot may take next in his career and in light of his Premier League title success with Liverpool, he's unlikely to be short of suitors.

Dick Schreuder

NEC Nijmegen qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history by finishing third in the Eredivisie and Dick Schreuder is the coach who's masterminded their rise to prominence.

Implementing an intense, high-risk style of football, Schreuder's methods saw NEC record their highest-ever finish whilst reaching the final of the KNVB Cup, only for their search for a maiden major title to roll on for another year as they were comprehensively beaten by AZ Alkmaar.

Schreuder had a somewhat nomadic coaching career which saw him venture from Barnet to Philadelphia Union to TSG Hoffenheim, but enjoyed success in the early stages of his managerial chapter by guiding PEC Zwolle to promotion from the Eerste Divisie and leading CD Castellon into the Segunda Division in Spain.

Sebastien Pocognoli

Sebastien Pocognoli was hot property in the managerial sphere after orchestrating Royale Union Saint-Gilloise's first Belgian title in 90 years.

He was subsequently headhunted for the Monaco role after the Ligue 1 giants parted company with Adi Hutter in October last year. Pocognoli endured an extremely difficult start, losing seven of his opening eight matches - with a 1-0 win over champions Paris Saint-Germain sandwiched in between - before embarking on a 10-match unbeaten run.

It wasn't enough to haul Monaco any higher than seventh, however, and Pocognoli was sacked at the start of June.

The Eredivisie is a division the 38-year-old knows well after a three-year stint with AZ Alkmaar as a player and Pocognoli remains a highly-rated coach, despite his futile spell in the Principality.

Oliver Glasner

Dutch media have suggested former Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is a top candidate to succeed Van Persie.

However, it's been reported the Austrian tactician is biding his time for the vacant managerial post at Milan, with the Italian outfit accelerating their search for Massimiliano Allegri's replacement.

Glasner is highly sought in light of his hugely successful spell at Selhurst Park where he guided Crystal Palace to their first-ever major trophy in the FA Cup before winning the Conference League last season.