Reading Manager Jaap Stam on Shortlist to Succeed Claude Puel as Southampton Boss
Southampton have reportedly added Reading manager Jaap Stam to their list of potential replacements to succeed Claude Puel, after he was dismissed on Wednesday.
The Frenchman received his marching orders from senior figures despite guiding the Saints to an eighth place finish in the Premier League and an EFL Cup final appearance last season.
Some of the players were supposedly disgruntled with Puel's methods, which included his tactical preferences and changes in personnel, while the club, despite their lofty positional finish, only finished with 45 points in the Premier League - 17 down on the season before.
According to Yahoo Sport, Reading boss Stam is one name on the Saints' shortlist to take over at St. Mary's, and they may feel they stand a good chance with his future said to be uncertain.
Stam has challenged the Reading hierarchy to match his level of ambition, or else he could leave the club and that could be a possibility given how much his stock has risen since taking over the role a year ago.
He recently said of his future: "I don’t know. I don’t really want to think about it (a new Reading contract). We will cross that bridge when we come to it.
"I still have a contract for another season and there’s nothing going on. If it’s up to me for now I’m still here, I’m enjoying my time here and we are working towards something.
"My ambition is clear - making steps within a couple of seasons to go up to the Premier League. There needs to be a plan in getting there."
Southampton were also linked to recently-departed Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel, but the German quickly ruled himself out of the running.
