News and Views

Jaap Stam Remains Leading Contender

27 May 2016
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Jaap Stam remains the leading contender to become the new manager of Reading FC after Brian McDermott's shock dismissal earlier today. Stam, previously assistant manager at Ajax, is rumoured to already be in discussions with Reading prior to the sacking of McDermott. Stam had a memorable playing career, notching up 67 international appearances for the Netherlands, scoring three times. His success with PSV Eindhoven saw Stam become a household name and led to Manchester United paying over 10 million pounds for him in 1998 - a record payment for a defender.

After playing for Lazio and AC Milan, Stam made a return to Ajax to finish his playing career. After retiring from playing, he returned to Manchester United as a scout, before taking up an assistant manager role at FC Zwolle. He joined Ajax again as a managerial assistant in 2013, and now appears to be firmly in the hunt for his first appointment as a senior first team manager.

Other than Stam, the usual contenders have been named by the bookmakers, including Gareth Southgate, Phil Parkinson, and Steve Bruce. Given our owners treatment of McDermott it seems highly unlikely they would return to another Reading legend - which would rule Phil Parkinson out. A "big name" seems a likely choice - but not one that would come with a huge price tag. Stam would fit the bill as a manager that would look to use Reading a stepping stone to lead on to bigger things. His lack of experience is probably irrelevant to Reading owners, who failed to give McDermott time to attempt a repeat of his previous success in getting Reading out of the Championship.

 

Discussion On This Story:

 genome

» 27 May 2016 13:56

First odds are in

6/4 - Jaap Stam
7/1 - Steve Bruce
14/1 - Gareth Southgate, Phil Parkinson, Garry Monk, Gary Rowett, Mick McCarthy, Neil Warnock, Simon Grayson
20/1 - Tim Sherwood, Tony Mowbray, Martin Jol, Michael Laudrup, Pepe Mel, Steve Cotterill, Steve McClaren, Thierry Henry, Paul Clement, Paul Hartley

Interesting price for Bruce

 AthleticoSpizz

» 27 May 2016 13:57

Mickey Mouse should be wortha punt

 genome

» 27 May 2016 13:59



 Brum Royal

» 27 May 2016 14:45

I know these lists can be a bit meaningless at times, but, Thierry Henry? WTAF?

 Pepe the Horseman

» 27 May 2016 14:48

Avram backed into 4s. Jaapy now evens.

 One8Seven1*

» 27 May 2016 15:02

Please god no to Steve Cotterill. Massively over-rated manager with a bloody stupid accent.

 One8Seven1*

» 27 May 2016 15:07

Latest from BetVictor:

EVENS - Jaap Stam
4/1 - Avram Grant
7/1 - Steve Bruce

 Ouroboros

» 27 May 2016 15:11



I'd literally rather have Warnock.

 TBM

» 27 May 2016 15:11

Why is Steve Bruce even in the running? - he's about to take Hull back to the Premier League

 Pepe the Horseman

» 27 May 2016 15:12

:(

 RG7Fan

» 27 May 2016 15:17



So a handful of Reading fans have bet on Stam so his odds have narrowed to evens, big deal. Either that or someone in the club has tipped them the wink its Stam - but it that case I would expect them to stop taking bets.

 Nameless

» 27 May 2016 15:20



He's not the only Steve Bruce in the world you know....

 Nameless

» 27 May 2016 15:21



Stam as manager with Grant taking over from Nicky H and Dutch Brian doing what ever he did before he does what he does now.

 TBM

» 27 May 2016 15:22



He's not the only Steve Bruce in the world you know....

 One8Seven1*

» 27 May 2016 15:25



So a handful of Reading fans have bet on Stam so his odds have narrowed to evens, big deal. Either that or someone in the club has tipped them the wink its Stam - but it that case I would expect them to stop taking bets.

I'm expecting a quick appointment. Why sack McDermott without someone ready to come in? Sure we'll hear something very soon.

 Lower West

» 27 May 2016 15:28

Stam seems the obvious choice. As Brian's man.

 RG7Fan

» 27 May 2016 15:37



So a handful of Reading fans have bet on Stam so his odds have narrowed to evens, big deal. Either that or someone in the club has tipped them the wink its Stam - but it that case I would expect them to stop taking bets.

I'm expecting a quick appointment. Why sack McDermott without someone ready to come in? Sure we'll hear something very soon.

Hope so. One thing is for sure - if the bookies knew anything they'd stop taking bets. The fact Stam is evens just means more people are betting on him than others, probably because a few hundred supporters have read a newspaper article, like the sound of it and decide to pop a few quid on.

 bluerinse

» 27 May 2016 15:41

Avram Grant was seen numerous times at the ground last season. I wonder.....?

 AthleticoSpizz

» 27 May 2016 16:36

Stam, a managers assistant with no outright management pedigree and definately no Championship experience....who do you want?

 linkenholtroyal

» 27 May 2016 16:38


Brian Mcdermott....

 linkenholtroyal

» 27 May 2016 16:39


Brian Mcdermott....
The only way they could redeem themselves now would be Steve Coppell

 genome

» 27 May 2016 16:41

Dutch contenders

10/11 - Jaap Stam
16/1 - Clarence Seedorf
16/1 - Dennis Bergkamp
33/1 - Frank Rijkaard

 genome

» 27 May 2016 16:44

Pearson's in at Derby so we can ruled him out.

 Maneki Neko

» 27 May 2016 16:46


Brian Mcdermott....
The only way they could redeem themselves now would be Steve Coppell

like a man of honour and dignity like sir steve would come any where near

 AthleticoSpizz

» 27 May 2016 16:46


Brian Mcdermott....
The only way they could redeem themselves now would be Steve Coppellwould be nice

 tidus_mi2

» 27 May 2016 17:00

Would hate Coppell to come back, he left in such good memories, despite our relegation and then failure in the play-offs. It could well end up being a similar situation to Dalglish returning to Liverpool.

 genome

» 27 May 2016 17:13

Jimmy Kebe in at 16/1

 Maneki Neko

» 27 May 2016 17:19

how about a parky/bryn/kitson/downes super group

 Lower West

» 27 May 2016 17:23



Lots of changes at Ajax in past 6 months so who knows what the greater plan maybe. Not talking about De Boer either.

 Royal Ginger

» 27 May 2016 17:28

Brian's not even cold yet and you're already talking about replacing him. I need to grieve. I'm going to hate the next guy like he's a try hard step-dad.


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