READING FC have called a press conference for this afternoon when they are expected to unveil Jaap Stam as their new manager.

The press conference will take place at 2.30pm at Madejski Stadium, ending weeks of speculation following the sacking of Brian McDermott.

It is thought the ex-Manchester United and Netherlands defender will sign a two-year contract, with the option of a third year.

It has been suggested a deal was tied up last week, but Reading were not in a position to announce Stam's appointment while co-chairman Sir John Madejski and chief executive Nigel Howe were in Portugal for a Football League Owners' & Executives meeting.

It is believed the former Lazio and Milan star will be joined by Andries Uldrink and Said Bakkati as his assistants, having worked with them when coaching the Jong Ajax reserves side, a role Stam recently left.

It was while working at Ajax that 43-year-old Stam also came across Reading's new director of football, Brian Tevreden, who is leading the search for a manager along with Pairoj Piempongsant.

It is not known whether current first-team coach, Steven Reid, will stay with the Royals under the new backroom set-up.

Stam will replace 2012 Championship title-winner Brian McDermott, who was axed last month just 161 days into his second stint in the hotseat, after Reading laboured to 17th place in the Championship last season.