Feyenoord appoints Van Bronckhorst and Hulshoff as coaching duo to chase PSV and revive club fortunes
Feyenoord have announced the appointment of former Dutch international Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Dutch coach Sipke Hulshoff as a joint head‑coach team, with technical director Devy Rigaux describing it as a decisive step toward narrowing the gap with PSV and challenging for the Eredivisie title next season.
The duo will replace Robin van Persie, who was dismissed earlier this month, and will operate under what Rigaux calls “a touch of Arne Slot”, referencing the tactics that led Feyenoord to the 2023 championship.
Rigaux emphasized that the club has a concrete plan to build a “strong and competitive eleven”, adding that the appointment was made after careful deliberation with general director Robert Eenhoorn. He highlighted Van Bronckhorst’s deep connection with the club both as a player and a coach, noting his “energy” to embark on the new adventure.
Both coaches spent the previous season at Liverpool, working alongside Slot, which Rigaux says naturally influences their approach. “You are shaped by the people you work with, so it is logical that certain similarities in working methods will appear,” he explained, while stressing that the club does not intend to simply replicate Slot’s style.
Feyenoord sign Belgian midfielder Charles Vanhoutte from Nice
The selection is seen as a safe choice from an external perspective; Van Bronckhorst has already won trophies with Feyenoord, and Hulshoff brings a successful track record in Rotterdam. Rigaux added that the partnership was chosen for their “specific qualities” rather than a forced merger of ideas. In parallel with the coaching change, Feyenoord are already moving in the transfer market. The club is close to signing Belgian midfielder Charles Vanhoutte from OGC Nice for around €6 million, a player described as a “balance keeper” with good game insight. Rigaux acknowledged that the squad is currently oversized and that a transition will see some players depart, citing the upcoming exit of 34‑year‑old Austrian defender Gernot Trauner as an example. The situation of Shaqueel van Persie, son of the former coach, remains uncertain. Rigaux said the club will discuss his future separately, noting that “Shaqueel is a very good footballer and we will talk with him soon.” The announcement marks a new chapter for Feyenoord, with the club hoping the Van Bronckhorst‑Hulshoff partnership can restore the team’s competitive edge and bring back the success enjoyed under Slot’s tenure.