MLS side FC Cincinnati have been ridiculed online after unveiling new boss Jaap Stam using a picture of the wrong man.
Instead of the Manchester United legend’s face, the American outfit used a photograph of Tinus van Teunenbroek – a youth team coach at Ajax.
FC Cincinnati initially posted a picture of Tinus van Teunenbroek in their unveiling of Jaap Stam
Taking to Twitter to announce their news, the club tweeted: “Join us in welcoming the new head coach of #FCCincy, Jaap Stam.”
After fans and fellow clubs poked fun at Cincinnati, a new message went out with the correct photo, as they said: “Join us in welcoming our actual new head coach, Jaap Stam.”
In fairness to the club, Stam does bear a striking resemblance to Van Teunenbroek, with the man himself admitting he is often mistaken for the former Reading gaffer.
Upon hearing news of the gaffe, he told Fox News: “I heard about the incident through a mother of a former pupil of mine.
“Everyone now asks if I have made a transfer to America. I have once been mistaken for Jaap Stam in Ajax Showtime [a website] by Ajax itself.
“It happens to me more often, such as on vacation, that people shout: ‘Hey, that’s Jaap Stam!”’
GOING DUTCH
Despite the swift correction from Cincinnati, they were mocked on social media, with Columbus Crew tweeting a picture of British actor Jason Statham to congratulate Stam to the league.
New York Red Bulls then welcomed Stam with a picture of Arsenal fan Mark Strong, while the Premier League’s US account posted a snap of Brad Friedel.
Commenting on the incident, one fan messaged: “This is the best thing to happen in soccer this year.”
Another quipped: “You guys hiring a new marketing team? I’m a free agent.”
Stam has joined Cincinnati on an initial deal to run until 2021, with a one-year option for the 2022 season.
Speaking to the club’s website about his excitement at managing in the States, he said: “For myself, to get the opportunity to work in America and to work in MLS for a club like FC Cincinnati, it’s a dream.
“I’ve always liked the country and I’ve always liked the mentality of the people in the States as well in what they’re trying to achieve.
“To get the opportunity to work for FC Cincinnati and this project by building the club – hopefully even further than where they already are, because I think they’ve already done a great job – but being a presence as a team, even more in MLS, getting results and working together with the fans and everybody already working within the club, for me it’s a big challenge to do well.”
Stam – who coached PEC Zwolle from December 2018 to last summer after leaving the Royals – had been without a job since October after he resigned at Feyenoord after just 18 games in charge.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
