Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has been confirmed as Reading‘s new manager, having signed a two-year deal with the Championship club.
The former Dutch international defender arrives from Ajax, where he recently acted as the assistant coach for their reserve team, replacing Brian McDermott.
After ending an illustrious 15-year playing career in 2007, including winning a treble in his first season with Manchester United, the Kampen native made the transition into coaching.
However, the Reading job will be Stam’s first senior managerial role, with his previous jobs – firstly at PEC Zwolle and then in Amsterdam – having seen him take more of a backroom role.
Stam’s intention to one day move out of the shadows and be at the helm of a club was made clear when he announced his intention to not renew his contract at the 33-time Dutch champions.
He also made it clear his destination will not be in the Netherlands and it didn’t necessarily have to be at a top-flight club.
“I do not think you have to start as a trainer necessarily in the Netherlands,” he said recently.
“Why could you not start abroad? That may not immediately be in the Premier League, it could be in the Championship or League One.
“There are big clubs in between, where you can really start building something. I have already discussed this at home and the family wants it – if it comes to that.
“It’s not that I do not want to work in the Netherlands but going abroad is my preference.”
One thing is for sure, that Stam brings a wealth of experience from learning under the brilliant minds of Guus Hiddink, Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti.
His footballing philosophy is likely to be an amalgamation of their ideas.
Given the club finished 17th in the Championship last season, time will tell whether he is a success or not.
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