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Fergie: Stam Was The Best
Manchester United gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson admits that offloading Jaap Stam in 2001 was a "huge blunder" and insists that the giant Dutchman is one of the best defenders of all time...
Inside the soon-to-be-released book Just Jaap, Sir Alex Ferguson admits that when it comes to defenders, he hasn't found one better than Jaap Stam.
Fergie bought the big Dutchman from PSV Eindhoven in 1998, but moved him on to Lazio three years later to raise funds.
The pair have had a bookish affair, for Stam's 2001 departure was reportedly sparked by Stam's unflattering insider's account of the behind-the-scenes goings-on around Old Trafford, as written in his autobiography 'Head to Head'.
Now, though, Sir Alex is ready to forgive, forget and dole out some major kudos to the 'Dutch Destroyer', whose testimonial is on Saturday, rating him above Nemanja Vidiæ, Alex McLeish, Gary Pallister, Rio Ferdinand, Steve Bruce, Dennis Irwin and every other defender he's coached.
Bad Decision
Unwilling to open old wounds, Ferguson said of allowing Stam's departure: "I sold Jaap to Lazio because of the money that the club could earn. His sudden departure had nothing to do with the publishing of his book.
"As manager I must look after the club's money. Lazio offered a lot of money and I gave into to that - I regret it.
"It was a huge blunder of mine - I don't make them often. Jaap was extremely popular with the fans, but every manager makes a bad decision at some time."
Stam started his career with DOS Kampen, before moving through the ranks in his homeland and winning a PSV switch. After United, he had mixed success, hampered by injuries and illegal steroid use, during stints with Lazio, Milan and Ajax. He retired in the later part of last year.
Paying tribute, Ferguson continued: "I admired in Jaap's game his speed, his enormous power and he had an exceptional sharp tackle. He also had a great mentality.
"He was always focused and he never slacked, even during training. Others could take an example from that. In one-on-one situations he was the best in the world; I have never worked with a better defender than Jaap Stam."
Manchester United gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson admits that offloading Jaap Stam in 2001 was a "huge blunder" and insists that the giant Dutchman is one of the best defenders of all time...
Inside the soon-to-be-released book Just Jaap, Sir Alex Ferguson admits that when it comes to defenders, he hasn't found one better than Jaap Stam.
Fergie bought the big Dutchman from PSV Eindhoven in 1998, but moved him on to Lazio three years later to raise funds.
The pair have had a bookish affair, for Stam's 2001 departure was reportedly sparked by Stam's unflattering insider's account of the behind-the-scenes goings-on around Old Trafford, as written in his autobiography 'Head to Head'.
Now, though, Sir Alex is ready to forgive, forget and dole out some major kudos to the 'Dutch Destroyer', whose testimonial is on Saturday, rating him above Nemanja Vidiæ, Alex McLeish, Gary Pallister, Rio Ferdinand, Steve Bruce, Dennis Irwin and every other defender he's coached.
Bad Decision
Unwilling to open old wounds, Ferguson said of allowing Stam's departure: "I sold Jaap to Lazio because of the money that the club could earn. His sudden departure had nothing to do with the publishing of his book.
"As manager I must look after the club's money. Lazio offered a lot of money and I gave into to that - I regret it.
"It was a huge blunder of mine - I don't make them often. Jaap was extremely popular with the fans, but every manager makes a bad decision at some time."
Stam started his career with DOS Kampen, before moving through the ranks in his homeland and winning a PSV switch. After United, he had mixed success, hampered by injuries and illegal steroid use, during stints with Lazio, Milan and Ajax. He retired in the later part of last year.
Paying tribute, Ferguson continued: "I admired in Jaap's game his speed, his enormous power and he had an exceptional sharp tackle. He also had a great mentality.
"He was always focused and he never slacked, even during training. Others could take an example from that. In one-on-one situations he was the best in the world; I have never worked with a better defender than Jaap Stam."
