Robin van Persie, head coach of SC Heerenveen, faced a record 9-1 defeat against AZ Alkmaar in just his fourth match in charge, marking the club's worst loss in league history. Despite the crushing result, van Persie remains committed to his attacking football philosophy, asserting that both he and his players are not traumatized by the defeat and have learned valuable lessons. Former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott was a standout for AZ, scoring four goals in the match, contributing to their rise to second in the Eredivisie standings. Van Persie acknowledged the importance of perseverance and emphasized the need to maintain their game plan, stating, "Even when things aren’t going your way, it’s important to keep doing the things you agreed on." He expressed optimism looking forward to their next match against FC Twente, where he aims to bounce back from the setback. Heerenveen currently sits in 12th place with only four points from their opening four matches this season.