FC Cincy coach thought wrong photo was prank

FC Cincinnati boss Jaap Stam has told ESPN that he thought the wrong picture used for his announcement was a prank.

The former Manchester United player was hired last week but the Major League Soccer club mistakenly used a photo of Ajax youth manager Tinus van Teunerbroek to welcome Stam.

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The club then deleted the tweet and re-posted with the correct image of Stam.

“I was quite surprised to be honest,” he told ESPN. “I got the picture over here from a friend in Holland and I thought he made a practical joke by orchestrating the picture himself.

“Afterwards I got a message from somebody else as well so after that, I was quite curious what was going on. So, I saw the picture on the website and I was quite surprised, but mistakes are made and I can laugh about it as well.”

Stam, who enjoyed a highly decorated playing career and won titles at United, Ajax, Lazio and AC Milan, said he was looking forward to the challenge of helping FCC become the best team in the country.

“As a head coach you’re always looking for that special job where you can build something and I think FC Cincinnati has already done great over the last couple of years,” he added.

“They’re building on the team, on the training ground, facilities, new stadium and of course, the prospect of going to the top of MLS. That’s a great project for myself as a manager.”