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
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
One8Seven1*
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.
RG7Fan
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.
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