Stam: "Lazio Fans Are Passionate, And I’m Grateful For Their Continued Support. Even Now, When I Visit Rome, Fans Approach Me To Thank Me For What I Did For The Team During Difficult Times. It’s A Wonderful Feeling."

In a detailed interview with AjaxShowTime, former defender Jaap Stam reflected on his time with Lazio and shared his thoughts on the upcoming Europa League clash between Ajax and the Biancoceleste. Here’s what he had to say:

On joining Lazio in 2001:

"My move to Lazio happened after Manchester United accepted their offer. I had just signed a new contract and could have stayed, waiting for my chance to play again. But ultimately, I decided I wanted to leave and explore other opportunities. Several top clubs in Spain and Italy were interested, but they wanted to wait. I, however, wanted a fresh start immediately due to the circumstances at United. I chose Lazio after visiting and having interviews. I liked the atmosphere in Rome."

On his experience in Rome:

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the capital. Rome is a beautiful city with great weather and amazing food—though that wasn’t the reason I joined Lazio! (laughs). Back then, Lazio had an incredible squad, including players like Nesta, Crespo, Simeone, Claudio López, Mihajlović, Couto, Mendieta, and Verón. The team was always competing at the top of Serie A, which was extremely popular at the time. Leaving Manchester United, I wanted to continue playing at a high level, and Lazio offered that."

On Lazio’s challenges during his time: 

"When I arrived, I noticed financial issues within the club. Over the next few seasons, it became harder for Lazio to attract top players, while others left for bigger clubs like Milan, Inter, and Juventus. After three seasons, I also moved on. Serie A’s overall quality declined in recent years, although the best clubs are now recovering. Many others, however, still struggle to reach a competitive level."

On his bond with Lazio fans:

"I believe the Lazio fans remember me fondly. Despite the challenges, I had a great time and developed a good relationship with the club and its supporters. In football, people appreciate players who make an impact, and Italy is no different. Lazio fans are passionate, and I’m grateful for their continued support. Even now, when I visit Rome, fans approach me to thank me for what I did for the team during difficult times. It’s a wonderful feeling."

On Lazio’s evolution and current philosophy:

"I can’t closely follow Italian football or Lazio due to time constraints, but I catch games when possible. Lazio now relies on scouting talent from various countries or Italy, focusing on young players who can grow to compete at the top level. Their approach has always been to play organized, dominant football and impose themselves on opponents, though it doesn’t always work. Italians have a unique mentality and temperament, always aiming for victory."

On the upcoming match against Ajax:

"Lazio knows Ajax is a fantastic team capable of causing problems for any opponent. While Lazio might adopt a more cautious approach at times, they generally aim to play their game and won’t just sit back in defense. I expect Ajax to dominate possession, while Lazio will try to break forward and capitalize on opportunities. Lazio’s defenders might lack speed but are strong and physical. They often build from the back, though it doesn’t always succeed. Ajax will need a well-structured striker to exploit spaces effectively."