JAAP STAM says it is “unbelievable” how many managers have already lost their jobs in the Championship as Reading prepare to travel to Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
The Latics sacked boss Gary Caldwell last week, just months after he guided them to promotion from League One.
Manchester United youth coach Warren Joyce is expected to take charge before the weekend as Wigan become the sixth club in the Championship to appoint a new manager this season.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Stam.
“I knew before I arrived over here that it can go very fast in the Championship with managers going and changing clubs.
“They want to have instant success and want to do well and go up to the Premier League.
“A manager needs to have time to build his team and create a certain atmosphere in the team to get results.
“But you don’t really have time in football nowadays.”
Saturday will not be the first time this season Reading will face a side who have recently parted company with their manager, winning at Rotherham United and drawing against Derby County.
And Stam admits it makes things tougher when it comes to preparing for the fixture.
“It’s going to be guessing how they’re going to be playing,” said the boss.
“It’s not going to be easy to play these teams because the starting 11 want to prove themselves to their new manager.
“But we always focus more on our own team rather than the opposition.”
Depending on results elsewhere, victory at the DW Stadium could take Royals up to third in the Championship heading into the international break.
But Stam insists it is still far too early to read much into the standings.
“It would be nice to go up to third and win the game,” said the Dutchman.
“But for myself, the most important thing is the performance of the team.
“If we play well, dominate the game and can play our own game that we want to play then there’s a big chance we’re going to have a result as well.
“Eventually you’re going to be looking at the table and where you are.
“I’m not saying we’re not looking at the table at all because I’m a winner as well.
“But at the moment it’s not my main concern.”
Stam confirmed that Stephen Quinn has joined the club’s injury list with a knee problem while Joseph Mendes (hamstring), Deniss Rakels (ankle) and Anssi Jaakkola (knee) are all still out.
Jake Cooper and Yakou Meite could travel to face Wigan, who sit in the Championship relegation zone, but are lacking match fitness.
One man hoping he can force his way into the starting line-up is Callum Harriott.
The winger, who joined from Charlton Athletic in the summer, has had to settle with a place on the bench for the majority of the season.
But he will be ready if called upon and he says his past experiences make him wary of the threat Wigan could pose.
“I’m sure they will give their everything to try and get the three points,” said Harriott.
“But I think we need to focus on ourselves and really go out there and play our football and try to get the result that we need.
“I’ve played against Wigan before when they were in the Championship.
“Obviously they’re a fighting team that want to give everything.
“Given where they are in the table right now, I’m sure that’s how they’re going to go into the game.”
He added: “I think when a new manager comes in every player wants to show their qualities and really show that they want to start.
“In Charlton we had four managers in one year so I know what it feels like.
“But to be honest, I hope that none of us are really focussing on that situation because that’s not our situation.
“Our situation is to go there, do the job and take the three points home.”
