Jaap Stam claims Newcastle wanted him as manager this summer

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Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has claimed he became a managerial target of Newcastle United this summer.

Apparently the Magpies made an approach for Stam before eventually appointing Steve Bruce, with Stam having just signed a contract extension at Dutch outfit Feyenoord.

Speaking to Voetbal International, he said: “Newcastle United called me a few days after I signed my contract at Feyenoord. So it wasn’t an option straight away. I’m a man of my word.

“It was beautiful and honourable, because people in England apparently know what I stand for as a trainer.”

Stam has been with Feyenoord since June after succeeding Giovani van Bronckhorst at the helm, and has had a difficult start, winning just three out of 10 league games.

TBR’s view – Stam would have been big gamble

Many Newcastle fans still aren’t particularly happy that Bruce is in charge, but appointing Stam would have been arguably a much bigger gamble by the Magpies.

The former Netherlands international did guide Championship outfit Reading to the play-offs in 2017, but an awful run of results followed in the next season.

Unlike Bruce, Stam is still making his way in management and to have hired him might have been the wrong move – although given the team’s current predicament, some won’t see it that way.