MLS side FC Cincinnati ended its search for a new head coach. The club announced on Thursday that they had hired legendary Dutch center back Jaap Stam to take over the team on a permanent basis.
Cincinnati was in a search for a new manager since early February when Ron Jans resigned. After considering a number of candidates, the club decided to give confidence to Stam, considering that he previously collaborated with the team’s general manager Gerard Nijkamp at PEC Zwolle.
“We are very happy and pleased to have Jaap Stam become FC Cincinnati’s new head coach,” said Nijkamp in a statement. “He has an extensive background in being part of some of the most successful clubs in the world as a player and has also proven that he can guide teams through transitionary periods as a head coach.”
Stam comes to MLS after an unsuccessful stint with Feyenoord in 2019. He spent only 18 games at the helm of Eredivisie side, winning seven games before resigning from the post. The 47-year-old previously also had stints with Ajax’s youth team, Reading and Zwolle.
Jaap Stam’s managerial career hasn’t been successful as his playing career so far. During his time as a pro, Stam played for some of Europe’s best clubs like Manchester United, Lazio, and AC Milan. His biggest success came with United, as he helped the team win three consecutive Premier League titles and UEFA Champions League.
Stam was also a key part of the Netherlands’ national team, making 67 appearances between 1996 and 2004 while winning the Dutch Footballer of the Year award in 1997.
