Jaap Stam announces retirement

Carl Mendoza4 said:Yeah, it was basically the same story for three or four months while Jaap Stam was still finding his rhythm and struggling to gel with the squad.

Once he finally settled in with the rest of the guys, he played so incredibly well that he actually forced Blažičko to apologize.
I honestly think that, alongside winning the Champions League, stands as one of the absolute peaks of his entire career.

I found him absolutely fascinating back at Lazio when they moved him over to right back; he played that role so brilliantly, showing everyone he had both the technical skill and the high football IQ to match.

Blažičko back in the day: "the most overpriced mess in the premier league"🙄

John Patel12 said:I assume most of you are aware that Jaap Stam officially hung up his cleats yesterday. As he put it himself, he simply couldn't maintain that 100% physical intensity anymore, and once that drive starts to fade, the motivation follows suit. He decided to call it quits a bit earlier than anyone expected, choosing to walk away while he still could. What are your thoughts on this absolute defensive powerhouse? 🙏

He’ll never live down that loss to the LA Lakers...

Honestly, I’ve never really been a fan of Jaap Stam. I still remember how Blažičko was constantly tearing him apart during that first season at Manchester United.

Who actually liked Jaap Stam?
He was never a fair player.
If anyone can dig up a list online of who racked up the most red cards...
he’d be right there in the top 10... naturally, Jaap Stam!

boldhound8 said:If you ask me, he shouldn't have even been on the roster to start this season.🙂

I'm with you on that one.👍

William Collins85 said:Who actually liked Jaap Stam?
He was never a fair player.
If anyone can dig up a list online of who racked up the most red cards...
he’d be right there in the top 10... naturally, Jaap Stam!

Zidane would be right up there too.
I can't believe some people are making these claims about him being an unfair player. Just because he had a look that could intimidate a whole stadium doesn't mean he lacked integrity on the pitch. He was tough, sure, and maybe a bit rough around the edges, but he never played dirty.

I'm signing on this one

It’s high time for Joey Šimunić to step up and take center stage 😂

Eric Nelson said:It’s high time for Joey Šimunić to step up and take center stage 😂

👍 That’s just how it is; they all seem like little kids to me. I guess the only one who really holds a record is Joe, since he managed to pick up three yellow cards in a single game.🤣

Paul Anderson7 said:One of the greatest center-backs to ever play the game.🙏 🙏

Even Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his biggest mistake was passing him up. And we all know how rare it is for Ferguson to admit fault.

It might be time for him to hang it up. He’s earned it. He’s achieved everything there is to achieve and he’s always been a class act. A total legend.🙏

Wait, didn't Ferguson kick him out because of a doping ban??

Thomas Hughes40 said:Wait, didn't Ferguson kick him out because of a doping ban??

Look, since we're actually on a soccer subforum here, maybe try to tell Jaap Stam and Rio Ferdinand apart... 👍
Stam actually got forced out because he dropped some truth bombs in his autobiography "Head to Head" that Sir Alex Ferguson just wasn't feeling...

mistycyclist51 said:Look, since we're actually on a soccer subforum here, maybe try to tell Jaap Stam and Rio Ferdinand apart... 👍
Stam actually got forced out because he dropped some truth bombs in his autobiography "Head to Head" that Sir Alex Ferguson just wasn't feeling...

And let’s not forget, he was also quite the fan of the nightlife!

mistycyclist51 said:Look, since we're actually on a soccer subforum here, maybe try to tell Jaap Stam and Rio Ferdinand apart... 👍
Stam actually got forced out because he dropped some truth bombs in his autobiography "Head to Head" that Sir Alex Ferguson just wasn't feeling...

"But then, back in 2001, he was sold to Lazio following a fallout with Ferguson, spent his time in Rome until 2004, and eventually moved over to AC Milan. While he was at Lazio in 2001, he tested positive for nandrolone on a doping test and ended up serving a five-month suspension."

Oops, my bad. 👍 He did test positive—I just tripped over my own feet thinking that was the reason he got booted.

Thomas Hughes40 said:"But then, back in 2001, he was sold to Lazio following a fallout with Ferguson, spent his time in Rome until 2004, and eventually moved over to AC Milan. While he was at Lazio in 2001, he tested positive for nandrolone on a doping test and ended up serving a five-month suspension."

Oops, my bad. 👍 He did test positive—I just tripped over my own feet thinking that was the reason he got booted.

Yeah, obviously, he tested positive while he was at Lazio... what's the big deal? 🤷
I didn't mess up my facts, because I said Jaap Stam didn't have any issues with doping during his time at Manchester United... unlike Rio, who basically ate everything in sight..

well, if that's how it is, then I guess I am too 🙂

mistycyclist51 said:Yeah, obviously, he tested positive while he was at Lazio... what's the big deal? 🤷
I didn't mess up my facts, because I said Jaap Stam didn't have any issues with doping during his time at Manchester United... unlike Rio, who basically ate everything in sight..

From what I heard, he took the test, but it was a few hours late, so I doubt he was actually on anything.