Jaap Stam Was Offered Newcastle United Job Before Appointment of Steve Bruce

Manchester United legend ​Jaap Stam has revealed that he rejected the chance of becoming Newcastle United manager in the summer, with the former Premier League defender preferring a move to Eredivise side Feyenoord.

This would mean that current Magpies boss Steve Bruce was a back up option for the 47-year-old Dutchman, perhaps indicating that the Newcastle hierarchy had no real strategy when Rafael Benitez departed the club.

Stam was speaking exclusively to Dutch publication ​VI, and confirmed that he was approached. When asked if he regrets his decision, he simply responded: "Hahaha ... No. 

"You have been informed, because it is correct. Newcastle United applied a few days after I signed my signature at Feyenoord. So it was not an option right away. I am from a man a man, a word a word. 

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

Stam hasn't exactly been setting the world alight back in the Eredivisie. Feyenoord sit tenth with just 14 points, and they now head into a crucial week for the club; after a Europa League group game against Young Boys on Thursday, they have a crunch clash with Ajax on the weekend.

However, Stam won't be envious of the position ​Newcastle manager Bruce finds himself in, as they sit in the bottom three and are well and truly in a relegation scrap. They host a resurgent Wolves side on the weekend, and will be desperate for three points.