Reading FC: Technical director Brian Tevreden 'not worried' boss Jaap Stam could leave Royals in the summer

In an exclusive Chronicle interview, Tevreden hailed his fellow Dutchman for his tremendous work on and off the football pitch after steering Royals into the Championship play-offs.

But Stam’s remarkable feat in his first full season as a manager has not gone unnoticed by rival clubs.

The former Manchester United and Netherlands defender was recently touted as a possible replacement for under-pressure Slaven Bilic at Premier League West Ham United.

But Tevreden, who revealed Stam was his first choice to succeed former boss Brian McDermott last summer, says he is confident the 44-year-old will still be at the helm at Madejski Stadium next season.

“If you do a good job within a club then you get linked with other clubs,” declared 35-year-old Tevreden, himself a relative rookie in his role.

“Jaap has another year on his contract and I’m talking to him about the future every day.

“I’m not worried that he’s going to leave, we have a very good partnership.

“I’m not concerned at all.”

Jaap Stam is animated on the touchline during Reading's 1-0 win against Leeds United in April.

Tevreden praised Stam for transforming the Royals’ fortunes following their lowly finishes in the previous two campaigns when they ended up 17th and 19th.

Stam’s Dutch revolution saw more than 10 players join Reading over the summer and a similar number leave during wholesale changes behind the scenes.

Royals’ boss also introduced a fresh style of play and, despite criticism from supporters at first, they soon warmed to his possession-based approach and enjoyed a string of impressive performances throughout the campaign.

Tevreden, who was coaching at Ajax alongside Stam when he took up his role with Royals following Nick Hammond’s move to West Brom, continued: “An inexperienced director came in and an inexperienced manager came too.

“Everyone said that Reading was number one for relegation but we have surprised a lot of people.

“I had a philosophy of the way I wanted this team to play and Jaap used the same system when he was at Ajax.

“He was the one who could turn what I had in my head into work on the pitch, and he has done a fantastic job.”

Reading are now guaranteed a place in the top six and could finish as high as third, depending on the outcome of Sunday’s fixtures (all 12pm ko).

Stam’s men travel to Burton Albion knowing all they need to do is match Huddersfield’s result at Cardiff City plus the result of the third-versus-sixth clash between Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham to clinch third spot and earn crucial home advantage in the semi-final second leg.