Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie has been publicly criticised by player Quinten Timber who accused him of not protecting his squad following comments made by the ex-Manchester United star
Robin van Persie in action
Robin van Persie did not back down(Image: Marcel van Dorst/EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Former Manchester United forward Robin van Persie has faced accusations from Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber of failing to protect his players. Timber – the sibling of Arsenal defender Jurrien – has demanded his boss address concerns directly with him.
Van Persie witnessed his team succumb to a 4-3 loss against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday, leaving the club trailing Eredivisie table-toppers PSV by a significant 16 points. The 42-year-old saw his son, Shaqueel, net twice, though Van Persie's afternoon was marred by the result and controversy away from the pitch.
The Feyenoord manager – who took charge in February last year – had been critical of Timber beforehand, explaining he was dropped "purely a sporting matter" in the build-up to the match.
"I look at the training sessions, the matches, and how the players fulfil their roles. Especially their intentions," the Premier League winner, who scored 58 goals in 105 outings for United, said.
"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."
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.
Quinten Timber of Feyenoord gestures(Image: 2025 Rene Nijhuis/MB Media)
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Timber reacted angrily to the remarks and responded after the final whistle. The Dutch midfielder is anticipated to leave the club and maintains a strained rapport with fans, but insisted he needed to speak up following Van Persie's comments.
"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.
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Quinten Timber is expected to leave Feyenoord(Image: Marcel van Dorst/EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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"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 questioned 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.
"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."