Stam uncertain of his future at financially ‘struggling’ Reading as key tussle begins
Jaap Stam has cast fresh doubt on his future as the manager of Reading, according to the website www.getreading.co.uk. The 44-year-old has just over a year left on his contract at Royals and has seen his reputation shoot up due to the team’s success this year.
Royals battle it out in the Championship playoff semi-finals against Fulham this weekend.
But speaking ahead of today’s game at Craven Cottage, Stam gave no assurances about his future at Reading.
When asked if he was still committed to Royals next season if they were still in the Championship, he replied: “I don’t know, it can end this season.
“I’ve got a contract until the end of next season. There’s nothing going on so if it’s up to me for now I’m still over here.
“I’m enjoying my time at Reading. We’re working towards something and it would be nice if we can do it straight away this season.
“But if it’s not going to happen, then maybe next season. It depends on what the owners can do.”
The club is due to hold talks with Stam this summer about extending the two-year deal he signed when he joined last July.
However, after exceeding expectations this campaign, the Dutchman’s stock has risen sharply.
Swansea City and West Ham United are two clubs to have been linked with his services this season.
Stam said he was not contemplating moving to a Premier League club over the summer.
“I don’t know [if I’d speak to a Premier League club], I don’t really want to think about it. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Stam said clarity at the highest level also needs to be sorted out in terms of ownership.
Reading’s current Thai owners — led by Khunying Sasima Srivikorn — are locked in talks with Chinese bidders looking to take control of the club.
The takeover of Reading by Chinese brother and sister — Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li - was conditionally approved by the English Football League (EFL) last month.
When asked on BBC Radio Berkshire why her consortium were selling up with Reading in with a chance of promotion, Khunying Sasima confessed that they were struggling to keep pumping money into the club.
“You know, owning a football club is something like I have never experienced in my entire life. It’s a lot of money that has to be spent every month, it’s very expensive,” said Khunying Sasima, known in Britain as Lady Sasima.
“And if you don’t have very, very deep pockets then it’s not possible. We are struggling, to tell you the truth. I don’t know 100%, but are struggling. Every month we have to spend more money, more money, more money and there’s a point where we couldn’t afford it comfortably.”
Stam said: “It’s important to look at what’s going to happen - whether we do or don’t get promotion.
“There are various questions such as: can you invest as a club and do you make a lot of changes?
“Sometimes you want to bring in extra players to make the team even stronger and if you go to the Premier League how many players do you need to bring in? Is there an opportunity to do that?
Reading skipper Paul McShane hoping it’s third time lucky at Craven Cottage
“But if we stay in the Championship do we go again with the same squad, do you expect the same results with the team?” he said.
“Some players are going to be sold if they’ve done well and if you lose players do you have money to replace them?
“These are very important things we need to look at at the end of the season.”
If Reading fail to gain promotion, Stam said big investment would be required to compete at the top end of the Championship next season.
“If you look at it on paper and money-wise, it’s going to be very difficult to get in the top six for the teams not able to spend a lot of money,” he said.
“This season we’ve done very well and next season there’s always the danger when people expect the same.”