Sir Alex Ferguson's influence has helped Jaap Stam move into the coaching caper.

The Dutchman, 44, has two wins and a draw from his first five Championship games as Reading manager and admits lessons he learned during his time at Manchester United have helped him prepare for this role.

Stam was famously sold to Lazio by Ferguson in 2001 after winning three Premier League titles in a row at Old Trafford and says the decision of the Scottish great is something he now respects more since moving into management.

"When you go into management you understand why managers make certain decisions at certain times," he told SkyBet's YouTube channel.

"If there's a player who gets an injury and he's been out for a couple of months, then you are never sure if he will come back to that same level. And maybe you get an offer in from another club that you can't refuse.

"I learned a lot from Fergie about how he was as a manager and I can take some of his work with me."