Feyenoord Player Describes Coach's Treatment as 'Puppet Show' After Loss

Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber criticized coach Robin van Persie following the team's 4-3 defeat to Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday. Van Persie had excluded Timber, whose contract expires this summer, from the starting lineup for the match. The coach commented on his decision, stating, "I watch training sessions and matches, so it's purely a sporting decision."

Timber responded to his coach's remarks, saying, "It has happened several times now that the coach hasn't protected the player... It feels like a puppet show where people are now saying I'm not doing anything."

Timber added, "This was the maximum, and that's why I'm standing here," suggesting that this was likely his last game with the club, amidst banners from fans reading 'Timber Out'. For his part, Van Persie reiterated his stance on the player's intentions, concluding his comments on Timber's return by saying, "If you ask me personally... I don't think so."