A Year On (Jaap Stam)

Member Name: northerner

Product:	Jaap Stam
Date:	09/09/02 (526 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: World Class Defender

Disadvantages: Abrupt departure

Amid the fallout from Roy Keane’s literary efforts, the controversy surrounding Old Traffords last would be author remains unclear. Although Manchester United have rightfully suggested that no player will now be allowed permission to write an autobiography whilst at the club, the situation surrounding the sale of Jaap Stam has yet to be resolved. A number of different explanations were offered at the time, but the fans are still unclear as to why the club sold their based defender at such short notice, without a reasonable explanation for such an abrupt transfer.

The first explanation, provided by the club, is that Stam had failed to recover sufficiently from an operation on his achilles tendon, and was no longer playing at the level the club expected of him. Laurent Blanc, persistently pursued by the club, had recently become available, and with the progress of Wes Brown and John O’Shea, Stam would no longer be a first choice, and the chance to recoup £15m to offset the cost of the summer transfers was seen as good business. However, the timing of the transfer makes this explanation seem unlikely. If the club really had intended to replace Stam, then it would have made sense to conduct the transfer before the season started, not rushing to beat the European transfer deadline. Suggesting that Stam was sold because he was no longer needed at the club is about as credible as the argument that Rio Ferdiand was signed by Leeds as a stop-gap.

The second explanation is one constructed from various sources within the club, which suggest Stam’s sale may have been the result of a serious of misunderstandings. After media attention surrounding his book, Stam believed he may have damaged his relationship with the club, so instructed his agent to investigate possible moves away from England if the situation became worse. The United board soon found out that an agent acting for Stam had been touting possible interest in his client, and
mistakenly believed that Stam wanted a move away from the club. The board decided that is Stam was to leave, it would be on their terms, and also began to investigate possible moves. Having recently signed Veron form Lazio, United had a good relationship with the Italian club, and soon agreed a transfer, which Stam had little chance of rejecting. As an explanation, this has credibility, as misunderstandings between players, agents and clubs are common. However, it is unlikely both that Stam would have believed his comments would force him to leave the club, and that United would transfer a player before verifying rumours of him looking to leave the club.

The third explanation, provided by the media, is that comments made in Stam’s autobiography caused concern within the club, and the decision was made to offload the player. Comments concerning team mates were insulting, but light hearted. However, comments regarding European opposition, and a suggestion that Manchester United made an illegal approach for him whilst at PSV, were potentially damaging and hence the club were forced to transfer him. As the timing between the release of his book, and his transfer were coincident, it was the easy option to conclude that the book was the course of the dispute. However, it seems highly unlikely that Manchester United would offload their best defender simply for a few out of place remarks. Although a simple explanation, it seems that it lacks any real substance.

The fourth possible explanation, and possibly the most credible, came to light after the transfer had been completed, and Stam had begun his career at Lazio. After a routine drug test, Stam was found to have taken nandralone, and was subsequently banned for 6 months. This was one a series of bans, mostly Dutch players, for taking banned substances. Allegations has been made that The Holland squad for Euro 2000 had been taking dietary supplements that may have contained banned sub
stances. Following bans for Davids and DeBoer, many clubs instructed their medical staff to test any Dutch players in their squad. It has become apparent that Manchester United probably tested both Van Nistlerooy and Stam, although the results were withheld. It is now suggested that Manchester United, on discovering that Stam tested positive, were aware that it was only a matter of time before the player was officially tested, and given a lengthy ban. The decision was taken that a replacement for Stam would have to be found, and that Laurent Blanc could lead the defence until a younger replacement was found. This relies on the assumption that Lazio didn’t conduct their own medical tests, although the proximity of the transfer deadline may have forced the club to perform a medical quickly. If this is the explanation why Stam was transferred to Lazio, and initially it is highly plausible, it is obvious that the club would look to withhold the information, and suggest alternative reasons for the move. The controversy over Jaap’s book may have helped the club conceal the truth surrounding the deal, which may have damaged the club’s reputation.

The impact of Stam’s sale on the Manchester United defence caused much interest within the football world. Stam was undoubtedly the based individual defender in the squad, and one of the best centre backs in the world. However, legitimate doubts were raised over his ability to play within a defensive unit, and to provide leadership to the younger members of the defence. Laurent Blanc was seen as a vastly experienced defender who could organise the defence for a season before a younger defender could be brought in to build to the defence around. However, to suggest that the sale of Stam was the reason why Manchester United failed to retain the Premiership title is both inaccurate and unfounded. Firstly, although of the top 6 sides, only Newcastle conceded more goals, it was United’
s failure to score goals that cost them the title. United failed to secure a record fourth successive title because they lost 6 games at home, failing to score in all six games, and losing five of them 1-0. Arsenal won the title because they scored in every game, home and away, not because they had a better defensive record. Equally, the claim that keeping Stam at the club would have improved that defensive record are inaccurate. Blanc had an excellent season, providing the leadership that had previously been missed. United conceded goals because of injuries that made it impossible to get a settled defence, with 17 different centre back pairings over the course of the season, and the attacking style of play which provides little cover for the defence.

Ultimately, it is still unclear why Jaap Stam’s career at Old Trafford was abruptly ended. If the club were aware that Stam would test positive if he was officially sampled, then it is in their best interests not to disclose that they offloaded a player knowing he would test positive for a banned substance. United have moved on, brining in Blanc who had an excellent first season, and subsequently signing one of the most promising centre backs in the world in Rio Ferdinand. Stam has struggled in the unsettled atmosphere of Lazio amid financial difficulties and his drugs ban. The real explanation for Stam’s sale to Lazio, along with the £15m owed to Manchester United, is uncertain.

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