Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam was named the next manager of FC Cincinnati on Thursday.
– Stream new episodes of ESPN FC Monday-Friday on ESPN+
- Stream every episode of 30 for 30: Soccer Stories on ESPN+
Stam will be reunited with FCC general manager Gerard Nijkamp, who hired Stam as manager at PEC Zwolle back in 2018. Stam has also had head coaching spells with Reading as well as Ajax Amsterdam‘s reserve team. His most recent managerial stint came with Feyenoord in 2019, where he lasted less than half a season.
A dominating central defender in his playing days, Stam enjoyed a highly decorated career, performing for several Dutch clubs including FC Zwolle, SC Cambuur, Willem II, and PSV Eindhoven. He secured a high-profile move to Manchester United in 1998, where he won three Premier League titles and the 1998-99 Champions League.
He finished his playing career with stints at Lazio, AC Milan and Ajax. He won an Eredivisie title with PSV in 1997 and the KNVB Cup with Ajax in 2007.
“We are very happy and pleased to have Jaap Stam become FC Cincinnati’s new head coach,” Nijkamp said. “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.
“I strongly believe that Jaap can lead us through our next phase, to our new stadium, and help us achieve our goals in the future, making players better and bringing his knowledge and experience inside the club. I have full confidence that he will be successful at FC Cincinnati and will be a great fit to carry out our established playing philosophy and guide the club to achieve future successes.”
At international level, Stam made 67 appearances for the Netherlands, scoring three goals.
FCC has experienced considerable instability in its coaching ranks since joining MLS last year.
Alan Koch was dismissed less than three months into the 2019 campaign due to poor results. Ron Jans was hired to replace him but he resigned on Feb. 17 amid an investigation into his alleged use of a racial slur. Yoann Damet has been the interim coach since Jans’ departure.
MLS suspended all play on March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic.