Sir Alex Ferguson has previously admitted he was wrong to let Jaap Stam leave Manchester United, and the Dutchman unsurprisingly agrees with that view. Stam was one of the best defenders in Europe when Ferguson sanctioned his £15 million departure to Lazio in 2001, believing his skills were on the wane.
Stam went on to play at the top level for five more years, three with Lazio and two at AC Milan. In 2013, Ferguson confessed it was a 'bad decision' to let the big Dutchman leave. Stam, who takes his Reading side to Old Trafford in the FA Cup next weekend, says he knew at the time he still had a lot to offer.
'Well, of course it was a mistake,' Stam said. 'I'm not going to deny that. I knew myself how I felt as a player at the time. And at that time you're not happy with it. But you know as well when you go into management that sometimes you have to make certain decisions.'
Stam admitted he has never spoken to Ferguson about his exit, which was agreed on the forecourt of a petrol station after Stam had stormed away from United's training ground. 'It happened and you have to go on with your life and you try to succeed somewhere else,' Stam added. 'He had the confidence in me to take me over and let me play and I've learned from him as a manager as well now. I'd have loved to spend a couple of years extra over there, but that's how it was.'
