Jaap Stam tries to move past Kevin Sammut during the Mancester United Legends match agains the Malta Veterans. Photo: Domenic Aquilina
Former Dutch international picks the Netherlands as a dark horse for Euro 2024 win.
Legendary defender Jaap Stam sees a bright future for his former club Manchester United as the Red Devils decided to stick with manager Erik Ten Hag in a bid to challenge for major silverware.
Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam gives his comments to sport.timesofmalta.com. Video: Gianluca Lia
Stam, now a coach, was named the UEFA Champions League best defender in the 1998/1999 and 1999/2000 seasons while donning the Man. United colours.
“Winning all the games would make the fans happy,” Stam, jokingly, told the Times of Malta.
“The fans always hope that the club challenge for every single honour and I think Manchester United are now making the moves to reach new heights once again.”
A former Dutch international with 67 caps, who featured in both the European Championships and the World Cup, Stam described his Netherlands as a potential dark horse in Euro 2024.
Netherlands, coached by Euro 1988 winner Ronald Koeman, face favourites France, Austria and Poland in their group as the competition starts on Friday.
“The Netherlands is a team full of confidence as they have shown in their recent matches,” he said.
“They are in high spirits but one of the most important factors in tournaments like these is that you would want to peak at the right time.”
Meanwhile, Stam, who captained the Manchester Reds Team against the Malta Veterans, has enjoyed his first stay on the Maltese islands and is already planning to return again.
