Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam claims he turned down the chance to take over at Swansea City.
The Dutchman was repeatedly linked with a move to the Liberty Stadium following the departure of Carlos Carvalhal , who failed in his attempt to keep the Swans in the Premier League.
Stam, who left Championship rivals Reading the previous March, has revealed that Swansea was just one of several offers he rejected before deciding to make the move to Dutch side PEC Zwolle — the club where he started his playing career — in December 2018.
Swansea went on to appoint current manager Graham Potter, who's proved a big hit at SA1.
But Stam has insisted that he made the right decision in returning to the Netherlands, adding that the needs of his family were a big factor in the move.
Speaking to Dutch magazine Helden , Stam said: “I didn’t do anything for six months, I had a lot of offers, but mostly, from China, even from Iran, and also from a Championship club.
"I almost signed with Swansea City, but in the end I wanted to stay in the Netherlands, especially for the children.
“I didn’t like an adventure far away without my wife and children. Yes, then PEC came at the end of last year. I didn’t have to think about it very long. PEC is my club anyway.”
Stam has since guided PEC to 11th in the Eredivisie, and has since been confirmed as Giovanni van Bronckhorst's successor at Feyenoord for next season's campaign.
