Stam in Reading talks

Jaap Stam is in talks with Championship club Reading, after Brian McDermott was sacked as manager on Friday morning. It is thought that following a disappointing 17th place finish last season and not winning any of their last seven league games may have forced them to act.

The former Manchester United and Lazio centre-half  has spoken with the club's owners about replacing former Arsenal player McDermott, whose second spell in charge of the Championship club has been terminated after just five months.

Stam, who played for Holland 67 times is currently out of work, having recently coached Ajax's youth and reserve sides is said to know Reading’s Dutch technical director Brian Tevreden from his time at Ajax.

The 43-year-old has just received his UEFA Pro Licence and recently spent time observing Premier League Southampton as part of his studies, working alongside fellow Dutchman Ronald Koeman and the club's technical director, Les Reed.

Former FC Volendam player Tevreden is said to be keen on fellow countryman Stam and sees him as the right man to lead Reading’s challenge to the now even bigger list of ex-premier league clubs in the top half of the Championship next season.