JAAP Stam remains the red-hot favourite to become the next manager of Reading FC.

Sources in Holland state the former Manchester United defender and Ajax coach met Royals’ representatives for talks in London last week.

Those claims have since been denied by his agent Henk van Ginkel in the Dutch media.

However, Stam, who recently left his role with Ajax Under 21s, now appears nailed-on for the Royals job.

The ex-Milan and Lazio centre-back is well known to Royals’ Director of Football, Brian Tevreden, after they worked together with Ajax youth teams before he joined Reading in February.

Bookmakers Betfair slashed the odds on the 43-year-old taking over at Madejski Stadium to 1/14 last night (Wednesday), with Bet Victor offering 2/9.

Stam has never hidden his desire to manage in England, recently admitting: “If somebody gave me the chance I would take the next plane out.”

He also told Dutch media: “I have already discussed this at home and the family wants it – if it comes to that.

“It’s not that I do not want to work in the Netherlands but going abroad is my preference.

“Ajax wanted me to stay at the club but they know my ambition.

“I want to develop myself and go to a team in England, I was at Ajax for two years and it was great fun and beautiful. But I’m ready to manage a first team.”

Despite the odds on Stam’s appointment tumbling, the Reading Chronicle understands Reading are unlikely to confirm a permanent appointment until next week at the earliest following Brian McDermott’s sacking last Friday.

A Chronicle website poll revealed the majority of Reading fans believe the club was wrong to dispose of McDermott after just 161 days in the hot seat, with 59 per cent disagreeing with the decision and 41 per cent stating he deserved to go.

The process of finding a replacement began in earnest late last week with Gianfranco Zola, Avram Grant and Phil Parkinson also among the early contenders.

Royals are also rumoured to have held talks with former Atletico Madrid winger Milinko Pantic, 49, while the Serb was in London last week, though there has been no confirmation from the club.

Pantic last managed Azerbaijani club FC Baku between 2013 and 2014.

McDermott, who won the Championship title with Reading in 2012, was sacked by the club for the second time last Friday and has already been linked with the vacant manager’s position at Bolton Wanderers.

His second stint in charge of Royals lasted less than six months and included nine wins in 30 games and a disappointing 17th-placed finish in the Championship.

  • Next Reading manager selected odds (Betfair): Jaap Stam 1/14, Avram Grant 5/1, Milinko Pantic 5/1, Gianfranco Zola 8/1, Steve Bruce 12/1, Alex McLeish 16/1, Phil Parkinson 16/1, Dennis Bergkamp 20/1, Gary Rowett 20/1, Neil Lennon 20/1, Simon Grayson 20/1, David Moyes 25/1, Neil Warnock 33/1.