Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits selling Jaap Stam to Lazio was his biggest managerial mistake.
Although Fergie has since made his peace with Stam, who was sold against the backdrop of Old Trafford dressing-room revelations in his autobiography, the United boss admitted he is still troubled by selling the big Dutchman.
"It was one of the mistakes I made - hopefully I haven't made too many - but that was one," Fergie told the Mirror.
"I got this offer from Lazio for £18.5million. Was it £18.5million? No, £16.5million I think it was, and I says, "Can't turn it down. He's 30 years of age.
"I thought if we could get Laurent Blanc for a year or so and bring the young ones through - like Wes Brown and John O'Shea - but it backfired.
"Jaap and I have got on well together. We spoke the last time we were over in Holland at the Ajax Tournament. I spoke to him for a long time there and everything's fine."
