I'm a Manchester United legend that turned down Rangers as a player - now I'd love to manage them
Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has revealed both Rangers and Celtic tried to sign him before he made the move to Old Trafford in the summer of 1998.
Stam went on to enjoy a trophy-laden three years with United, famously winning a treble in his first season with the club.
He moved on to Lazio in 2001 before joining AC Milan and the former Netherlands international has since gone on to become a manager.
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And on the eve of United's Europa League clash against Rangers on Thursday evening, Stam has revealed the Gers tried to sign him while Dick Advocaat, who managed him at PSV, was in charge of the club.
"My assistant at Reading, Andries Ulderink, is now working for Rangers, he’s a good guy. There have been a lot of Dutch managers and players over there, including Dick Advocaat," Stam said while speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Champions League odds.
"When I was working with Advocaat at PSV he tried to bring me to Rangers, but unfortunately for him Manchester United came in for me the same summer.
"I’ve always followed Scottish football and when I played for Willem II I had the chance to join Celtic. I had an opportunity but I wanted to stay in Holland and keep learning."
Stam has also admitted he would love to manage one of the Old Firm sides in the future, having made the transition from the pitch to the dugout.
"But both Celtic and Rangers are great clubs and everyone recognises their grounds, everyone is always thinking about football over there," Stam added.
"One day I’d love to manage in Scotland, maybe for Rangers or Celtic or for another club. It would be amazing for me because the fans are so passionate about the game and I love that."
Stam started his managerial career with Reading and was a penalty shootout away from guiding the Royals to promotion to the Premier League in 2016/17 when they were beaten by Huddersfield Town in the play-off final.
Since then he has managed Dutch sides PEC Zwolle and Feyenoord, as well as MLS franchise FC Cincinnati but has been out of work since he was sacked by the American side in 2021.
Rangers are currently managed by Belgian Philippe Clement. Having won trophies with Belgian sides Genk and Club Brugge, Clement won the Scottish League Cup in his first season at Ibrox.
But despite performing admirably in the Europa League this season, Clement has come under pressure for Rangers' domestic form as they currently trail league leaders Celtic by 13 points in the Scottish Premiership table.
