Harsh lessons as Robin Van Persie’s Heerenveen suffer 9-1 defeat

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, 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," he said. "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."