Reading Boss Jaap Stam Signs New Two-Year Deal Following Impressive First Season

Reading have announced that manager, Jaap Stam has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract, which will see the 44-year-old remain as Royals boss until the summer of 2019.

Despite having another year on his existing contract, Reading have confirmed via the ​club's website that Stam has been rewarded with a new deal, alongside his assistant manager, Andries Ulderink, and first team coach Said Bakkati.

In only his first season at the club, Stam guided the Royals to a third place finish in the Championship, where the club ultimately fell one agonisingly penalty short of securing promotion to the Premier League in the Championship playoff final at Wembley. 

A stark contrast to the club's previous two seasons after finishing 19th and 17th, as Stam guided his side to 29 wins with a win percentage of 54% in his maiden season as a manager in England. 

Reading's new majority shareholders, Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li, made the manager's contract extension their number one priority ahead of the new season. 

Mr Dai said upon the announcement: “My sister and I are absolutely delighted that Jaap Stam has agreed to sign a new contract at Reading Football Club. 

"We will support Jaap in helping him to build a squad capable of challenging at the top end of the Championship again in 2017-18 and that support will continue throughout the season as we look forward to the challenge of a brand new season!”

The club's chief executive Nigel Howe added: “Jaap, Andries and Said signing new contracts is momentous for this football club and a clear demonstration that Reading Football Club is a great place to be right now. 

"Akin to the manager, we are a club with fierce ambition and his commitment to the cause offers us the continuity we need to build on last season’s undoubted successes, shape our future with stability, drive and focus and aspire to achieve even more in 2017-18."