Leeds United targeted Reading boss Jaap Stam over the summer.
Reading boss Jaap Stam
Leeds United fans appear to be very happy with manager Thomas Christiansen – and this weekend, he goes head-to-head with a manager who was linked with the Elland Road post before his appointment.
After Garry Monk’s shock exit and subsequent move to Middlesbrough left Leeds rocked, owner Andrea Radrizzani ended up taking the shock choice to bring in Christiansen as the club’s new manager, after taking charge of APOEL Nicosia last season.
Christiansen has so far made a strong start to life at Elland Road, winning six of the first 11 Championship games to put Leeds fifth in the table, occupying a play-off spot at this early stage of the season.
Another win for Christiansen would not only be a huge result for Leeds after successive defeats at Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday, but could also pile the pressure on a manager who was linked with the Leeds job just days before Christiansen’s appointment.
As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post back in June, Leeds were interested in raiding Reading for their manager Jaap Stam, after he guided the Royals to the Championship play-off final last season, losing out to Huddersfield Town.
The Dutchman earned rave reviews for his work at the Madejski Stadium last season, and Leeds’ ambitious move for the ex-Manchester United defender ultimately fell flat, leaving Christiansen to emerge as Radrizzani’s choice.
Now, things have changed for Stam, as Reading have made a disastrous start to the season, winning just twice in their first 11 games whilst claiming only two points in their last five games, leaving them just one point clear of the relegation zone.
The pressure is mounting on Stam, and whilst he may not be in immediate danger of losing his job, a defeat against Leeds – the club who wanted him just four months ago – could see further questions being asked of his position.
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