Jaap Stam

Jakob "Jaap" Stam (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈjaːp ˈstɑm]; born 17 July 1972) is a Dutch football coach and former player who is currently an assistant coach at Ajax.

Born in Kampen, he played for several European clubs including PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Lazio, A.C. Milan and Ajax before retiring in October 2007. 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. He was known for possessing "a rare combination of speed, strength and ball-playing ability", as well as an excellent positional sense.

Stam played 67 international matches for the Netherlands, scoring three goals. He was in their squads for three European Championships and the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Early career

Stam started his career with local amateur football club DOS Kampen. On 15 August 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 side Cambuur Leeuwarden for the following season, but relegated in his first season which brought him back into the Eerste Divisie. Two seasons at Cambuur earned him a transfer to Eredivisie side Willem II. At Willem II he impressed at the Eredivisie level straight away, which meant his final breakthrough. A shock 1–0 home victory over Ajax led to Stam's transfer to PSV Eindhoven in the same season in which they eventually won the KNVB Cup, his first professional trophy.