United treble hero Stam retires after loss of 'motivation'

The former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has announced his retirement with immediate effect. The 35-year-old, now with Ajax, revealed that he had taken the decision to quit due to a lack of motivation.

"This decision was not taken overnight," said Stam, who retired from international football with the Netherlands three years ago having won 67 caps, at a press conference at Ajax's Amsterdam ArenA. "A while ago, I told [the Ajax technical director] Martin van Geel and [managing director] Maarten Fontein that I could no longer motivate myself enough. Physically, I was no longer 100 per cent. During matches, I was more busy with myself than with the opponent. That's not right. Especially for someone who relies on his strength. I want to give myself for the full 100 per cent and not 60 or 70 per cent."

Van Geel said: "Jaap's decision is regrettable, but it comes as no surprise. He's a great person and a great player. He was an example to everyone. We accept his decision, but it's a shame."

Stam has not yet decided how he will say goodbye to the Ajax fans. "I want to thank them in an appropriate manner," he said. "They've supported me from the very first minute."

His testimonial is due to be held next July at FC Zwolle's Oosterenkstadion, when Ajax will face a team consisting of Stam's former team-mates.

Stam began his career in the 1992-1993 season at FC Zwolle, and later played for Cambuur Leeuwarden, Willem II and PSV Eindhoven, where he played for three seasons. In 1998 he signed for Manchester United, winning three league titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson, including the treble in 1999.

He left United in acrimonious circumstances in 2001 after falling out with Ferguson following the publication of the Dutchman's autobiography, in which he accused the club of making an illegal approach for him when he was at PSV.

Ferguson maintained that it was Stam's inability to get over injury, rather than his memoir, that prompted a £16.5m move to Lazio – and he also later admitted that selling the big defender was a mistake. "At the time he had just come back from an Achilles injury and we thought he had just lost a little bit," Ferguson said in September. "We got the offer from Lazio – £16.5m for a centre-back that was 29. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. But in playing terms it was a mistake. He is still playing for Ajax at a good level."

Stam spent five years in Italy with Lazio and Milan before returning to his homeland to sign for Ajax in the summer of 2006.