Robin van Persie is no longer captain of the Dutch national side, but the striker understands coach Danny Blind’s decision.
- By James Rowe
In the run-up to the crucial European Championship qualifiers against Iceland and Turkey this week, new coach Danny Blind announced that Arjen Robben would take the captain’s armband from Van Persie.
Speaking to NOS, Van Persie said he was not upset about the decision, “No not all at .We had a good talk and we spoke about a few things. One of the subjects was the captaincy .Before he gave me the news i put forward myself that he must be completely free in his choice for the captaincy. For me that is normal . He was the assistant and is now the manager, and the manager must chose his captain and the order. It is his choice and I accept and respect that
On possibly not wanting the captaincy role anymore, Van Persie added, “I have said that it has been a Great Honour to be captain of my country for the last two years and I have given my all.”
“If you ask me if i find it a shame. Yes I find it a shame, but I have the role as vice captain completely accepted. I have said in the past many times when I was not captain and then when I was that we do it together with the first, second, third captain and the older and younger players. Everybody plays a part in the process and my approach to that has not changed.”
Follow
