Jaap Stam can’t wait to start as a coach of FC Cincinnati. The former defender, who starts his first coach job after his forced departure from Feyenoord, thinks he thrives better in the United States than in the Netherlands.
“I will still come back to the Netherlands, but I don’t know if that is as a football coach”, Stam says in conversation with the AD. “I prefer to work abroad, because there is a different sports culture. The approach of some is different from how I am in it and I don’t always want to settle for that.”
Stam hopes to polish his face in the United States after a painful period as a trainer of Feyenoord. The 67-time international started the job in Rotterdam last summer, but decided to resign after a series of disappointing results at the end of October.
“Feyenoord has failed because of circumstances, but I am still convinced that my way of working can be successful. So I see no reason to change much at Cincinnati,” emphasizes Stam, who is his former Feyenoord assistant Saïd. Bakkati takes to the USA.
–
Stam is not afraid of mistakes made by Jans
Stam, 47, knows what to expect in Cincinnati and thinks he’s better prepared than his predecessor Ron Jans. Jans had to leave Cincinnati in February, after he sang along in the dressing room with a song where the word nigger occurs and was subsequently accused of racism.
“When you go abroad, you have to adapt and take into account the rules that apply,” says Stam. “You immerse yourself in that. Learning the language, these are all things that it entails. Not everything is the same as in the Netherlands. I don’t expect any problems in that.”
It is not yet known when Stam will lead his first game as coach of FC Cincinnati. The American league has been on hold since February because of the corona crisis. Stam starts his fourth job as a head coach at the highest level, having previously led Reading, PEC Zwolle and Feyenoord.
– .
