Jaap Stam held a conference this afternoon to announce his immediate retirement from football at the age of 35 despite his contract with AFC Ajax running until the end of the season. "The motivation and drive were no longer there," said the imposing central defender.
'Physical problems'
Stam continued: "I've been more preoccupied with myself than opponents lately, and then there are the physical problems to add to that. I noticed the physical side of things less at the end of last season but they were soon back this season. I wanted to quit then but was convinced to carry on. Now I can't continue. I'm not a player who can play at 50 per cent. I've never done that. I'm disappointed in myself that I can no longer motivate myself."
'Beautiful club'
Stam joined Ajax in summer 2006 with the intention of ending a successful career on home soil in the Netherlands next summer. He made 25 Eredivisie appearances last term, and captained the Amsterdam club to Dutch Cup glory, but has featured in only six league games this season, his final one seeing him go off at half-time in the goalless draw with NEC Nijmegen on 20 October.. Stam said: "I hope the Ajax fans understand. Ajax is the most beautiful club in the Netherlands to me. The fans have always been good to me here. I'm satisfied with how my career has gone, although obviously I would have wanted to end it another way."
European glory
Stam played for FC Zwolle, SC Cambuur Leeuwarden and Willem II before being snapped up by PSV Eindhoven in 1995/96. He joined Manchester United FC for €16.7m in 1998 and played in all 990 minutes of United's UEFA Champions League campaign as they won an unprecedented treble the following year. He was surprisingly sold to S.S. Lazio for €26.8m in August 2001 and next moved to AC Milan for €10.5m in summer 2004.
International career
He was an integral part of the Netherlands sides which reached the semi-finals of both the 1998 FIFA World Cup, UEFA EURO 2000™ - losing on penalties on each occasion - and the 2004 UEFA European Championship, after which he retired from international football with 67 caps and three goals.
I can understand the bold highlighted section, after you leave United, the only way is DOWN!!!
'Physical problems'
Stam continued: "I've been more preoccupied with myself than opponents lately, and then there are the physical problems to add to that. I noticed the physical side of things less at the end of last season but they were soon back this season. I wanted to quit then but was convinced to carry on. Now I can't continue. I'm not a player who can play at 50 per cent. I've never done that. I'm disappointed in myself that I can no longer motivate myself."
'Beautiful club'
Stam joined Ajax in summer 2006 with the intention of ending a successful career on home soil in the Netherlands next summer. He made 25 Eredivisie appearances last term, and captained the Amsterdam club to Dutch Cup glory, but has featured in only six league games this season, his final one seeing him go off at half-time in the goalless draw with NEC Nijmegen on 20 October.. Stam said: "I hope the Ajax fans understand. Ajax is the most beautiful club in the Netherlands to me. The fans have always been good to me here. I'm satisfied with how my career has gone, although obviously I would have wanted to end it another way."
European glory
Stam played for FC Zwolle, SC Cambuur Leeuwarden and Willem II before being snapped up by PSV Eindhoven in 1995/96. He joined Manchester United FC for €16.7m in 1998 and played in all 990 minutes of United's UEFA Champions League campaign as they won an unprecedented treble the following year. He was surprisingly sold to S.S. Lazio for €26.8m in August 2001 and next moved to AC Milan for €10.5m in summer 2004.
International career
He was an integral part of the Netherlands sides which reached the semi-finals of both the 1998 FIFA World Cup, UEFA EURO 2000™ - losing on penalties on each occasion - and the 2004 UEFA European Championship, after which he retired from international football with 67 caps and three goals.
I can understand the bold highlighted section, after you leave United, the only way is DOWN!!!
