New Reading manager Jaap Stam has revealed that conversations with former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink and Southampton‘s Ronald Koeman helped his decision to take the job at the Madjeski Stadium.
The Dutchman was announced as Brian McDermott replacement this morning, in an appointment that certainly came as somewhat of a shock to some given the former Manchester United and Lazio defender’s lack of managerial experience.
In his first interview since becoming manager of the Championship outfit Stam, via the Royals’ official Twitter account, revealed it was his compatriots who influenced him to take up the hot seat for next season.
Jaap reveals that he spoke to Guus Hiddink and Ronald Koeman ahead of joining Reading. Not a bad contacts list in football management!
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) June 13, 2016
Stam will not come up against either Hiddink or Koeman in the forthcoming campaign and he will be hoping to improve on the club’s disappointing 17th- placed finish last season and hopefully lead the club back into the Premier League in his first attempt at being in charge of a senior team.Last season he was the assistant coach for Ajax reserves – a position he held for three years – and he now becomes the Royals’ first ever non-British manager.
During Stam’s playing days, he was regarded as one of the finest defenders of his generation and it will be interesting to see his transition into management.
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