Magpies deny Stam approach

Newcastle United are believed to have refuted Jaap Stam’s claims they approached him to become the club’s new manager over the summer. The Magpies were on the hunt for a new man to fill the void left by Rafael Benitez after the north east outfit failed to agree fresh terms with the experienced Spaniard.
Newcastle eventually turned to then Sheffield Wednesday boss Steve Bruce, who made the return to his boyhood club and has made a tough start to life at St James’ Park.
However, reports in the Dutch media suggested former Manchester United defender Stam, who succeeded Giovanni van Bronckhorst as manager of Feyenoord this summer, was approached for the position with the Premier League side.
Stam himself has also claimed the reports are true but says he had already agreed terms with Feyenoord and would not have left the Dutch outfit to join Newcastle. “You have been informed, because it is correct,” he told Voetbal International “Newcastle United applied a few days after I signed my signature at Feyenoord. So it was not an option right away. “I am a man of my word. It was beautiful and honourable, because the people in England apparently know what I stand for as a trainer.”
This goes against the news coming from The Chronicle which says a senior club source has denied Newcastle ever attempted a move for Stam or were ever interested in the former Reading boss.
The Magpies took two-and-a-half weeks to secure their new manager after the departure of Benitez and the source has claimed Stam’s name wasn’t even considered for the position before Bruce’s arrival at the club.
Bruce’s Newcastle return to action on Sunday as they look to climb out of the relegation zone when they face Wolves at St James’ Park.