EPL: Why I rejected Man Utd return – Van Persie

Robin van Persie has revealed he rejected the chance to join Erik ten Hag at Manchester United due to his family.

The former United striker was offered the chance to join ten Hag’s backroom staff.

But Van Persie says he decided to remain as a youth-coach at hometown club Feyenoord, where his son 15-year-old Shaqueel currently plays.

“My son and daughter are important right now,’ Van Persie told the Life After Football magazine.

“The fact that they have both found their passion is great. A hobby is nice, but you hope that they really find a passion.

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“Dina succeeded in doing that with horse riding, she’s totally into it, and Shaqueel has the same thing with soccer. My wife, Bouchra, is developing all her talents with our projects and that’s great to see. We’re enjoying ourselves together.

“In London, when I played at Arsenal, we moved five times. We also lived in Manchester and Istanbul. All in all, we were away for almost fourteen years.”