Jaap Stam admits he was not contacted about taking up a coaching role at Manchester United this summer - but insists he is "always willing" to help his former club.
The Dutchman voiced his enthusiasm to join Erik ten Hag's staff earlier this year in a move which would see him return to Old Trafford after 21 years away. Stam made 127 appearances for the Red Devils between 1998 and 2001, helping them win five major honours including the continental treble of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
He is regarded as one of the club's greatest centre-backs and believes his defensive expertise would be a valuable addition to Ten Hag's backroom team. Stam has embarked on a career in coaching and management since hanging up his boots, taking charge of Reading, PEC Zwolle, Feyenoord and FC Cincinnati.
The 50-year-old is on the lookout for a new role after Cincinnati sacked him in September last year, but there was no call from Old Trafford chiefs after he offered himself to United. "I've never spoken to United - nobody phoned me about anything," Stam told bet365.
"But that's also how it goes in football, you know. When a new manager comes in, he's taking his own people with him, that he knows and that can give him confidence, and that might help him out in certain ways.
"But, like I said before, United is a club that I love. I've grown there as an individual. As a player, it made me stronger, it made me what I am now in career. I made history with that club, which is very positive, so if they need me, or if I can help them out in anyway, I'm always willing to do so."
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As well as offering his services to United, Stam talked up how much he would like to coach in the United Kingdom again, four years on from when he left Reading after a two-year stint. "I would love to work in the UK, because of my days of playing and working at Reading as a manager," he added.
"I'd love to work in one of your competitions in one of the leagues in the UK. Going back into management? I want to do it eventually, but it needs to be the right fit as well."
United were one of many giant European clubs Stam represented during his acclaimed playing career. He also played for PSV Eindhoven, Lazio, AC Milan and Ajax, winning numerous trophies during his spells in his native Netherlands and Italy.
