Jaap Stam

Jakob "Jaap" Stam (born 17 July 1972) is a Dutch football manager and former player who is currently the manager of Reading.

Born in Kampen, he played for several European clubs including PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Lazio, 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 UEFA European Championships and the 1998 FIFA World Cup.