The Reading manager has been speaking about the chance he had to take over as Leeds United boss.
Former Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen
Leeds United fans are used to it by now but it has been all change again this week at Elland Road.
They sacked Thomas Christiansen in light of some recent poor results and have moved quickly to appoint Paul Heckingbottom as his successor, who left Barnsley for the post.
Christiansen was only appointed in the summer as the replacement for Garry Monk, who could not agree a new contract with new owner Andrea Radrizzani.
One man who was linked with the Leeds job in the summer, was mentioned as a potential replacement again on this occasion. Reading manager Jaap Stam led the unfancied Royals to the play-off final last season, ultimately losing to Leeds’ rivals Huddersfield Town.
Jaap Stam, Manager of Reading
The Dutchman has been talking about the Leeds links today. Speaking at his press conference ahead of Reading’s clash with Middlesbrough, he was quoted by getreading as stating:
“Last season I know they were very interested in getting me in but I made a decision to stay here.”
“I still felt there were a lot of nice things to do here with the new owners coming in so that’s why I decided to stay.
“I know from last season their manager went out and a new one was brought in and I was on that list as well but that’s how it goes.”
He went on to confirm he was not approached at all by Leeds after the sacking of Christiansen:
“I haven’t spoken to them myself.”
To be frank, Stam’s appointment would not have gone down well at Leeds. Firstly, there is the obvious Manchester United connection which would take some major adjustment for the Elland Road faithful to forget.
Jaap Stam, Manager of Reading
Then there is the fact Stam’s rather bland style of football has been found out this season, with Reading languishing at the wrong end of the Championship table.
But it seems he was never in the running and Heckingbottom was always the man for the job. Hopefully he can last a little longer than his ever-growing list of predecessors.
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