Product Description

Now recognized as one of the best central defenders in the world, Jaap Stam was a huge influence in Manchester United's 1998/99 treble winning season and continues to earn the plaudits for his performances at both club level and for Holland. In this his first book, Stam reveals what it is like to play for the biggest and most famous football club in the world, sharing the limelight with the likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Roy Keane. On boss Alex Ferguson, he explores the myth behind the man and his methods, and talks about training and match preparation, dressing room secrets at the time of their Treble success, and the transfer saga involving his former PSV team-mate Ruud Van Nistelrooy. There is also the hitherto untold story of the problems he encountered when first settling in at Old Trafford, how he almost missed out on his dream move, and the way he was written off at the time as "a waste of money" by the press.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #224287 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-20
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Review
'Written off in his hometown before his career had even begun, Jaap Stam is now having the last laugh as the world's best defender' FourFourTwo

About the Author
Jaap Stam was born in Kampen, Holland in July 1972. He turned professional at the age 19 and played for Zwolle, Cambuur, Willem II and PSV Eindhoven before his record ?11 million signing by Manchester United in the summer of 1998. He has 35 caps for Holland, and writes a regular column for the Daily Telegraph. Jeremy Butler has followed Jaap's career ever since he joined United. Initially at the Hull Daily Mail and the Press Association, he started up his own sports news agency, Presspass, in 1996. He writes features for the News of the World, Sun, Mail on Sunday, and Total Football magazine.

Customer Reviews

A Must Buy
At first I wasnt sure about this book because of all the hype and fuss flying around. The book that lost Jaap his place in the best football team of the 90's. This book goes into detail about Jaap and how he became one of the best defenders in football. It also tells about the ins and outs of football and gives a sneek behind the scenes look on how football works. Probably the best autobiography I have read to date.

Inside the mind of the Dutchman
Jaap Stam's autobiography makes a good read, particularly if you are a Manchester United fan wanting to know more about life behind the scenes at Old Trafford.

This paperback version is fully updated to include all the details of Stam's fall-out with Sir Alex Ferguson last summer....which some people believe was connected to some of the stuff written in Stam's original book.

To sum the book up....controversial, but a good read.