Stam exit from Reading FC was no surprise but the timing is a gamble

Former Reading boss Jaap Stam. Credit: Eddie Greville

There was a certain inevitability about it. The fans' booing, the decline in attendances, the same basic errors week after week.

All was not well at Reading FC for a culmination of reasons.

And as easy as it is to blame players - and rightly so - it's the manager who will always bear the brunt of it.

Jaap Stam did not help himself along the way - never admitting personal blame for defeats and criticising Royals' fans.

But when the rot set in and there were no signs of improvement, the writing was on the wall.

Stam was kept on though, week after week, and the club gave the impression they would be giving him until the end of the season whatever the scenario.

The Chinese owners backed him in the January transfer market - allowing him to bring in experienced duo Chris Martin and Tommy Elphick.

And despite giving him as much time as they could, Stam was unable to turn things around.

As I said last week, this week was the final opportunity realistically for Reading to make a change.

Had there been a game this weekend, I doubt Stam would have gone. But the interntional break gives the new man a couple more days (potentially) to work with the players ahead of the QPR game.

Stam had little to cheer about this season. Credit: Eddie Greville

And who knows how vital those days will be in terms of Reading's relegation fight.

If the new manager can hit the ground running and pick up a few wins in the next few weeks, Royals may be officially safe sooner than you know it.

But anything other than a fast start and it could be nail-biting stuff. And if the worse was to happen then it would be fascinating who would get the blame for relegation.

Stam was a decent bloke, always (almost) made time for the press and was fantastic to work with from a players' perspective (from all accounts).

It's a shame it hasn't worked out for him at Reading - particularly after the highs of last season.

I genuinely believe Royals would have stayed up with him in charge (perhaps not by much, but still enough) and then both parties could have a proper sit-down in the summer.

Then, he may well have felt enough was enough. That would have been the ideal scenario but the football industry is awash with surprises everywhere you turn.

The aim now must be to appoint someone quickly and for them to hit the ground running and get Reading over the line.

The race is nearing the end and who knows what obstacles lie ahead.

Stam, however, can switch off for a few days, probably for the first time since his appointment at Reading.

The pressure's off now. Sit back, reflect and learn from the experience, as I'm sure he will. He'll have another go somewhere else and I hope he is a success.

Reading's loss maybe some other team's gain. Let's just hope this move is beneficial for both parties in the long term.

And for that, only time will tell.

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