Exclusive - Jaap Stam emerges as a strong contender to take over at Southampton

Reading manager Jaap Stam is on a list of contenders to take over as Southampton manager, Yahoo Sport UK understands.

Stam’s impressive first season at Reading ended in disappointment, as his side were cruelly beaten in the Championship play-off final at Wembley after a penalty shoot-out against Huddersfield.

Former Manchester United defender Stam has a year left on his current Reading contract, but he may now be approached by Southampton over their managerial vacancy following the sacking of Claude Puel on Wednesday.

READ MORE: The contenders to replace Claude Puel at Southampton

READ MORE: Why Southampton were sinners and not Saints for sacking Claude Puel

Southampton are keen to appoint an experienced football figure to lead the club forward after a disappointing season that saw them collect just 46 Premier League points, which was 17 less than the total they amassed under Ronald Koeman in 2015/16.

Stam is developing a glowing reputation at Reading, guiding a side that has struggled to find its feet in the Championship to a third place finish, with the brand of attacking football he insisted upon adding to his rising stock.

Stam’s future at Reading has been uncertain for some time and he has hinted he may be tempted to leave the club unless his ambitions are matched by the club’s hierarchy.

When asked about his future at Reading last month, Stam offered these comments: “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.

READ MORE: Gossip – Morata to join United next week while City bid for Sanchez

“But is there a plan if we don’t go up, can we make changes over players or certain things and what happens then? I need to think about it and if that’s what I want.”

With Stam eager to work in the Premier League, the chance to take over at Southampton at a moment when the club are about to be boosted by a huge investment from a Chinese consortium may be attractive to the Dutchman.

Stam would also bring a guarantee of a more attractive brand of football, with the dour football offered up by Saints last season one of the reasons why Puel has been dismissed.

Meanwhile, Yahoo Sport understands that former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel was never a strong contender to take over at Southampton. St Mary’s Stadium are chiefs eager to appoint a coach who does not see their club as a stepping stone to the next stage in his career.

Tuchel made it clear on Thursday that he was not interested in a move to Southampton, but the club were already considering alternative candidates for the role.

Stam or any potential Southampton manager would need to commit to a long-term project, with the financial backing to push for regular European football making this one of the more attractive managerial posts on offer this summer.

Former Ajax and Inter Milan manager Frank De Boer is the bookies favourite to succeed Puel, with ex-England manager Roy Hodgson also mentioned as a contender due to his long-standing friendship with Southampton’s Head of Football Development Les Reed.

Saints decisions makers are keen to have a new manager in place before the end of this month, with key transfer decisions – including the future of defender Virgil van Dijk – on hold until the new head coach is appointed.