When Paolo Di Canio was appointed as Sunderland boss in March of this year the news was met with mixed opinions. Now just six months on and his sacking has also split the footballing world.
Now for me I questioned the decision to name Di Canio as manager in the first place. Undoubtedly Di Canio was a fantastic player but he has very little experience as a manager. Now he did a good job at Swindon getting them promoted to League 1 but he should not have been given a Premier League job so early in his managerial career.
You cannot doubt Di Canio’s passion for the game and it is great to see a coach so animated on the sidelines but you need to have a tactical brain which I feel the Italian doesn’t have. It seems to me that he coaches his teams based purely on man management and motivating (or some will argue intimidating) his players.
Now I have to give him credit because when he took over Sunderland were a sinking ship. He managed to secure eight points in their remaining games to keep them in the top flight but he took the completely wrong approach when preparing for the current campaign.
He brought in way too many players during the transfer window, there is no way that 14 players can come into a new side and be expected to gel straight away and start performing. To be honest of all the players they have signed I think only two or three have actually improved the team.
Di Canio’s public criticism of senior players Phil Bardsley and John O’Shea also divided the Mackem fans. It’s all well and good stamping your authority on your squad but you shouldn’t have a go at one of your best players for having a bad game.
Di Canio was also heavily slated for his reaction to his side’s 3-0 loss at West Brom. The former Lazio striker walked over to the travelling fans and confronted them as they hurled abuse towards the manager. The Black Cats were bottom of the table and it was an unconvincing performance from the away side. Former player Stephane Sessegnon (who Di Canio also criticised) scored against his old club on his debut which also added to the misery of the Sunderland fans.
Now if you are to believe reports it is claimed that in Sunday’s training session Di Canio fell out with some of his players which was enough for the squad to react. Allegedly some of the players went the board and expressed their lack of faith in their boss which was enough for chairman Ellis Short to bring the curtain down on Di Canio’s short reign.
I’m all for clubs having stability in order to be successful but you have to have the right man for the job in the first place. Although it seems like things can’t get any worse on Wearside at the moment I’m sure they would have done if Di Canio had stayed on. It wouldn’t surprise me if they brought someone in now who knows the club or at least someone who knows the league. If it was me I would turn my attentions to either Roberto Di Matteo or Tony Pulis to steer them back up the Premier League table.
Lee Rowley
Twitter: @leerowley10
Image provided by Walt Jabsco
