Quinten Timber agrees Feyenoord exit after slamming manager Robin van Persie | Football

Quinten Timber has agreed a move to Marseille after publicly criticising Feyenoord boss Robin van Persie.

Timber – the twin brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien – has been with Feyenoord since 2022, winning the Eredivisie in 2023.

However, his time at De Kuip appears to be over after a public spat with his manager.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Timber has agreed personal terms with the Ligue 1 side and negotiations between the clubs over a fee are at the final stages.

The Netherlands international’s contract expires at the end of the season, so Marseille will be looking to snap him up relatively cheaply.

It looks like Timber and Feyenoord will not separate on good terms, at least not the player and manager.

The midfielder was on the bench for the home game against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday, with Van Persie explaining his selection to AD by saying: ‘I look at the training sessions, the matches, and how the players fulfill their roles. Especially their intentions.

‘I think there’s plenty of room to improve on certain points. I want to see an intention in defence and attack to perform your duties well. I judge it based on that, and that’s why I’m choosing others now.’

Timber hit out at his manager after the game, saying: ‘I think it’s a shame what the coach said, that it happened this way. It’s happened a few times now that the coach doesn’t protect the player.

‘You can have an opinion, but say it to my face. This was the limit.’

He added: ‘Everyone at the club knows I give everything in the match, and I did that today. If I have to play at right back, I do it for my team. You can put any player in front of the camera and they’ll say the same thing.

‘It feels like a charade. It’s like I’m doing nothing. There’s a lot going on, a lot of emotion involved, including the fans who aren’t happy with me. That’s never fun.

‘It’s always been my intention not to leave the club with nothing. I want to get out. But let’s not pretend I’m not working or doing nothing. Everyone at the club knows it’s different.

‘I find it disappointing that it’s being said like this. It’s not the first time. I let it go once, let it go twice, but this time I’m standing up for myself.’ 

Van Persie was asked if he believes Timber has a future at Feyenoord, saying: ‘If you ask me, no, but I’m not the only one who thinks so. I also think a solution will be found.’

It appears that solution has been found, with the Dutchman on the verge of joining Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille.

It was a bruising afternoon for Van Persie and Feyenoord as they were beaten 4-3 at home by Sparta Rotterdam thanks to a Joshua Kitolano winner in stoppage time.

Defeat leaves Feyenoord second and 12 points adrift of league leaders PSV.

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