Reading manager Jaap Stam remaining resolute despite poor run of form

(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)

By Alex Beard

Reading manager Jaap Stam enjoyed an excellent first season in charge at the Madejski Stadium, finishing third and coming within a whisker of returning to the Premier League.

Although that penalty shoot-out defeat to Huddersfield at Wembley in May was hard to take, the Royals stumbling start to the season has been equally so.

Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Norwich made it six games without a win for Stam’s side. However, the Dutchman insists he remains the right man for the job.

“You know there’s pressure, so eventually if you’re not winning games people will start to talk about your job – that’s how it is,” he told the BBC.

“If people think they can get a better manager that’s better for the team, then they need to make that decision – that’s fine.

“I don’t think there is! That’s a joke of course, but that’s how it is.

“If you don’t get results people start talking about the manager: is he good enough? Can he change the team? We can only turn it around by training and working hard.

“I’ve been there as a player myself as well – it’s one of the risks of being a manager – and if you’re afraid of it happening then you don’t need to go into the job, go out and do something else.

“You might do some fishing, that’s nice as well?”

The Royals will have to wait until after the international break to try and arrest their slump, with their next game coming on 14 October at Leeds.