Troy Parrott scores four in AZ’s 9-1 win over Robin van Persie’s Heerenveen | Eredivisie

Former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott scored four goals as AZ secured a 9-1 Eredivisie victory over Heerenveen, whose rookie head coach Robin van Persie called the defeat a “really big blow”.

Parrott, who had not scored in his first four games since arriving in the summer, scored once in the first half and then added three more goals in eight minutes of the second half in a convincing victory that lifted his club to second place in the Dutch top division.

Van Persie said he learned more lessons than expected from the painful loss, but he has no plans to change his approach. The former Arsenal and Manchester United forward is in his first season as a top-flight manager and in his fourth game in charge saw his team suffer their worst ever defeat at AZ.

“This is tough. You’re going to have some bumps in your career. This was a really big bump. We learned more from this game than we normally would,” said Van Persie, who has won one game, drawn one and now lost two games in the new league season after being appointed as the club’s coach.

“This is part of football. I’m not traumatized by it and neither are my players. You want to get the best out of yourself. That means falling and getting back up.”

Van Persie, who won more than 100 caps for the Netherlands, thought Heerenveen played well in the first half, despite being 2-1 down at half-time. “Then it is important to start the second half well and sharply. But the third, fourth and fifth goals (scored by Parrott) came in quick succession. For AZ that was fuel on the fire, they saw their chance,” said Van Persie.

It was a record win for AZ, who are two points behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven. But Van Persie told reporters afterwards that he had no intention of abandoning his attacking philosophy.

“Even if things don’t go the way you want, with three goals in quick succession in the second half, it’s important to keep doing the things you’ve agreed on. We keep playing our own game. I believe in that and we believe in that. The next chance is against FC Twente on Tuesday,” he said, referring to Heerenveen’s next league match, which is away again.