Former Manchester United Defender Jaap Stam Announced as New FC Cincinnati Head Coach

Former Manchester United and Netherlands defender Jaap Stam has been announced as the new head coach of MLS side FC Cincinnati.

The Dutchman has been out of work since resigning from his post at Feyenoord in October last year, following a hefty defeat against Ajax.

Stam's arrival as Cincinnati boss was announced via a gushing video package on the club's Twitter account in which the defender's long list of playing achievements were rattled off in typically dramatic, American style.

In a statement published on the Orange and Blue's website, their new boss revealed that he was delighted to get the opportunity to re-enter management.

"For myself, to get the opportunity to work in America and to work in MLS for a club like FC Cincinnati, it’s a dream,” Stam said.

“I’ve always liked the country and I’ve always liked the mentality of the people in the States as well in what they’re trying to achieve.

“To get the opportunity to work for FC Cincinnati and this project by building the club – hopefully even further than where they already are, because I think they’ve already done a great job – but being a presence as a team, even more in MLS, getting results and working together with the fans and everybody already working within the club, for me it’s a big challenge to do well.”

Stam may have to wait some months to take charge of his first game, with football in the United States currently suspended due to COVID-19. It has not yet been decided when the season will resume and the MLS all-star game - which was due to take place on 29 July - was recently suspended.

Though Stam enjoyed an illustrious playing career - the highlight being winning a historic treble with United during the 1998/1999 season - managerial success has been less forthcoming.

A spell with Jong Ajax was followed by an initially promising spell at Reading, before he returned to the Eredivisie to take charge of PEC Zwolle and then Feyenoord.