Icons: Jaap Stam
It's time for you to read about another football icon.
Jaap Stam is a Dutch professional football coach and former player. As a player, he played as a centre-back and is regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation.
A brief introduction
Stam played for several European clubs including PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Lazio, Milan and Ajax.
The start of a fantastic career
On August 15th 1992, Stam made his professional debut for FC Zwolle in a 1–1 draw against SC Heracles in the Eerste Divisie. He became a first-team regular right away and moved to Eredivisie club Cambuur Leeuwarden for the following season, but relegated in his first season which brought him back into the Eerste Divisie.
Two seasons performing well at Cambuur earned him a transfer to Eredivisie club Willem II. At Willem II, he immediately impressed at the Eredivisie level and earned a transfer to PSV Eindhoven despite only making 19 appearances.
Icons: Henrik Larsson (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Being a champion at PSV
Stam was a key player for PSV in the 1996–97 season, as the team won the Eredivisie league championship and the Johan Cruyff Shield. Individually, Stam won the VVCS Footballer of the Year award. In 1998, Stam's form earned him another move. He signed for Manchester United for a fee believed to be around £10.6 million.
Becoming a Champions League and Treble winner
One of the best periods of his career came in three years at Old Trafford. During his time United won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, the Intercontinental Cup and the UEFA Champions League. He scored his only goal for the club in a 6–2 away victory against Leicester City. Manchester United fans still sing his name even now.
Liam, a Manchester United fan, said: "He was a fantastic player for us and we definitely got rid too soon."
Paul, also a Man United Season Ticket holder, added: "It was a bad move in the short-term getting rid. However, we signed Rio Ferdinand a year later so things worked out well in the end."
Moving to Serie A
In August 2001, Stam was controversially sold to Lazio from Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson later admitted that was a mistake. In three years at Lazio, he won the Coppa Italia during his final season.
He then joined Milan after UEFA Euro 2004. He reached his second Champions League final with the Rossoneri in 2005 but was a runner-up after his team was defeated by Liverpool in a penalty shoot-out. His only trophy during his time at the San Siro was the Supercoppa Italiana in 2004.
International career
Stam played 67 international matches for the Netherlands, scoring three goals. He was in their squad for three UEFA European Championships and the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Icons: Gianfranco Zola (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Personal accolades
As well as club trophies, he won several personal awards, including being voted the best defender in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 UEFA Champions League, as well as being included in three consecutive PFA Team of the Year sides from 1999 to 2001.
Post retirement
Stam as a coach and manager
After retiring as a player, Stam became a coach at PEC Zwolle and Ajax before making his managerial debut with Reading in 2016. He later managed Feyenoord in 2019 and FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer.
