Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie faced a fierce response from player Quinten Timber after his side's 4-3 defeat to Sparta Rotterdam, with the brother of Arsenal's Jurrien Timber hitting back at his boss
Scott Trotter Sports Writer
14:13, 19 Jan 2026
Robin van Persie
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Robin van Persie is in a war of words with his own player(Image: Marcel van Dorst/EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has come under fire from Feyenoord star Quinten Timber for failing to shield his players from criticism. Timber – sibling of Gunners defender Jurrien – has demanded his manager confront him directly with any concerns.
Van Persie's team suffered a 4-3 loss to Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday, leaving the club trailing Eredivisie frontrunners PSV by a massive 16 points. The 41-year-old enjoyed seeing his son, Shaqueel, net twice, but his day was marred by defeat and backstage turmoil.
The Feyenoord chief – brought in during February last year – had slammed Timber beforehand, claiming his bench status was down to 'purely a sporting matter' prior to kick-off. He explained: "I look at the training sessions, the matches, and how the players fulfil their roles. Especially their intentions.
"I think there's plenty of room to improve on certain points. I want to see an intention in defence and attack to perform your duties well. I judge it based on that, and that's why I'm choosing others now."
Timber wasn't having any of the criticism and fired back following the match. The Dutch international is anticipated to leave the club imminently and maintains a strained rapport with fans, but insisted he had to voice his displeasure after Van Persie's remarks.
Quinten Timber of Feyenoord gestures during the Eredivisie match between Feyenoord Rotterdam and FC Twente '65 at De Kuip on December 21, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
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Quinten Timber is set to exit(Image: 2025 Rene Nijhuis/MB Media)
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"I think it's a shame what the coach said, that it happened this way. It's happened a few times now that the coach doesn't protect the player," he fumed. "You can have an opinion, but say it to my face. This was the limit."
Timber went on: "Everyone at the club knows I give everything in the match, and I did that today. If I have to play at right back, I do it for my team. You can put any player in front of the camera and they'll say the same thing."
"It feels like a charade. It's like I'm doing nothing. There's a lot going on, a lot of emotion involved, including the fans who aren't happy with me. That's never fun.
Quinten Timber banner
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Quinten Timber is expected to leave Feyenoord(Image: Marcel van Dorst/EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
"It's always been my intention not to leave the club with nothing. I want to get out. But let's not pretend I'm not working or doing nothing. Everyone at the club knows it's different.
"I find it disappointing that it's being said like this. It's not the first time. I let it go once, let it go twice, but this time I'm standing up for myself."
Van Persie remained firm in his position when pressed about Timber's remarks.
"If I see that you don't have the intention to carry out those duties, I assess that based on the training sessions and matches, then I make choices based on players who do have that intention," he said.
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"I always want to see that you have the intention to defend back. Sometimes you give a bad pass, but I thought that was important. I'm not satisfied with that with Quinten, that's why I'm choosing others."