Imagine the pressure! Giving your own son his professional debut in a crucial Europa League match. Was it favoritism, or a calculated move? Robin van Persie says his decision to bring on his son, Shaqueel, during Feyenoord's recent Europa League defeat against Celtic was purely a professional one, made "as a coach," not "as a dad." This bold statement raises some interesting questions, doesn't it?
Shaqueel van Persie, a 19-year-old forward, has been carving his own path in the football world. After spending two years honing his skills at Manchester City's academy, he followed in his father's footsteps by joining Feyenoord in 2017. This culminated in him signing his first professional contract with the Dutch club in 2022, a significant milestone for any young player.
Fast forward to 2025, and Shaqueel's journey took another exciting turn. He earned a spot in Feyenoord's first-team squad for the first time during a recent Eredivisie defeat against NEC Nijmegen. And then, the big moment: just four days later, he made his senior debut, stepping onto the pitch in the 81st minute of Feyenoord's Europa League match against Celtic. It was a dream come true, but also a high-pressure situation.
"I made that call as a coach, not as a dad, because we needed a goal," declared former Arsenal and Manchester United superstar Robin van Persie after the game. "Shaqueel is a player who can score a goal from all angles. That was the reason I brought him on." He was clearly trying to remove any doubt about his decision-making, emphasizing objectivity above personal feelings.
But here's where it gets controversial... Can a father truly separate his emotions when making such a critical decision about his own son's career? It's a question that's bound to spark debate among fans and pundits alike.
Van Persie elaborated, "From a father's point of view, when your son makes his debut, that is always a special moment. But I wasn't that busy with enjoying that moment; I was doing my work like Shaqueel was." He acknowledges the personal significance but insists on his professional focus.
Unfortunately, the London-born teenager didn't have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the game. He managed just one shot in Celtic's box. He entered the match with the score at 2-1, and Celtic quickly extended their lead, scoring their third goal just a minute after his introduction.
"The way I see Shaqueel is as one of the players," added Robin. "This is what we both agreed to a couple of years ago when we already worked together. Shaqueel was handling that really well, I am too in my opinion." It seems they had prepared for this eventuality, establishing clear boundaries between their personal and professional relationship.
"Later on, when we are home, of course, we will have a nice moment, when we are proud of each other. I am proud of Shaqueel because, like every player who makes his debut, there is a whole process going on before he made his debut. He worked hard, deserved it, and, for him, it is a special moment." This shows the underlying paternal pride, even amidst the professional detachment.
Van Persie isn't the first manager to give his son a debut, and the history of football is filled with father-son duos. Here are a few other notable examples:
Johan and Jordi Cruyff: The legendary Johan Cruyff, a revolutionary figure in football management and playing style, managed his son Jordi at Barcelona. Jordi played 54 games for the club during his father's tenure. While Jordi had a respectable career, he always lived in the shadow of his father's immense legacy. "He was demanding to me in front of others, absolutely. He would give me a shout, and the hairs would stand up," Jordi recalled about his experience working under his father.
Harry and Jamie Redknapp: Jamie Redknapp had the unique experience of starting and ending his career under his father, Harry Redknapp. He played a total of 38 games under his father's management at Bournemouth and Southampton. Harry also managed his nephew, Frank Lampard, at West Ham.
Steve and Alex Bruce: Alex Bruce played the most games under his father, Steve Bruce, than under any other manager – a total of 116 games at Birmingham and Hull. He also served on his father's coaching staff at West Brom.
Zinedine and Enzo & Luca Zidane: Real Madrid icon Zinedine Zidane had the special opportunity to manage two of his sons, Enzo and Luca, at the club. Enzo, a midfielder, played one Copa del Rey match and even scored a goal, while Luca, a goalkeeper, played two La Liga games.
Alex and Darren Ferguson: Darren Ferguson played under his legendary father, Sir Alex Ferguson, at Manchester United. He was part of the Premier League title-winning squad in 1992-93 before moving to Wolves in 1994.
Diego and Giuliano Simeone: Giuliano Simeone has spent a significant portion of his career playing for his father, Diego Simeone, at Atletico Madrid.
Danny and Daley Blind: Daley Blind, a versatile defender, played under his father, Danny Blind, when Danny managed the Netherlands national team.
So, what do you think? Was Robin van Persie right to give his son his debut based purely on footballing reasons? Can a father truly separate his personal feelings from professional decisions in such situations? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! Do you believe it was a fair decision, or could it potentially create undue pressure on the young player? Let's discuss!
