Fledgling Heerenveen manager Robin van Persie said he learnt more lessons than expected as his side suffered a record 9-1 loss in the Dutch league on Saturday but has no plans to change his approach.
The former Arsenal and Manchester United forward is in his first season as a coach of a top flight club and in his fourth match in charge saw his side suffer their biggest defeat ever at AZ Alkmaar.
‘This is tough. You´ll encounter a number of bumps in your career. This was a very big bump. We learned a few more lessons from this match than we normally would,’ said van Persie, who has won one game, drawn one and now lost two matches in the new league season after being appointed as coach of the club.
‘This is part of football. I have not been traumatised by this and neither have my players. You want to get the best out of yourself. That involves falling and getting up again.’
Van Persie is no stranger to such a huge loss, having lost 8-2 to Man United during his time at Arsenal.
‘I also know how it works,’ he said. ‘I also lost 8-2 to Manchester United once,’ Van Persie added. ‘That wasn’t fun either, but it’s part of being a footballer. It’s part of everyone’s journey to become the best version of themselves.
‘That’s a road of trial and error, but in the end, it’s precisely at moments like these that it’s about owning it like a guy. Towards the boys, the media, your family and friends. The football world can be quite a tough world. Quite a lot of people like it when things go badly. You have to own that. It’s very easy to be happy and put on some music when you win a game. Then everyone is at their best.
‘It’s about standing with your chest out in these very situations and being proud of yourself and each other. That’s what we have to continue to do. We remain ourselves, even when things get tough. That’s what I believe in and what the boys believe in.’
Van Persie, who won more than 100 caps for the Netherlands, felt that Heerenveen played well in the first half despite being 2-1 down at the break.
‘Then it is important that you start the second half well and with sharpness. But the third, fourth and fifth goals (conceded) came in quick succession. For AZ that was fuel to the fire, they saw their chance,’ Van Persie said.
It was a record victory for AZ, who are two points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven in the league standings.
But van Persie told reporters afterwards he had no intention of abandoning his attacking philosophy.
‘Even when things aren´t going your way, with three goals in quick succession in the second half, it´s important to keep doing the things you agreed on.
‘We’ll keep playing our own game. That´s what I believe in and what we believe in. Tuesday is the next chance against FC Twente,’ he said, referring to Heerenveen’s next league match which is away again.
