Sunderland chief explains Di Canio’s sacking
Quinn wants new Black Cats manager to back players
LONDON: Former Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has called on the club’s next new manager to boost confidence as reports emerged Paolo di Canio was sacked following an extraordinary dressing-room bustup.
Di Canio became the first English Premier League manager to lose his job this season when he was dismissed on Sunday, a day after a 3-0 defeat atWest Bromwich Albion left Sunderland bottom of the table.
Renowned for his fiery temper as a forward, the Italian’s methods during his seven months in charge at Sunderland went down so badly that, according to Tuesday’s Daily Telegraph several players, following the West Brom match, told the club’s board they would go on strike if di Canio kept his job.
The Telegraph said the final straw came after Saturday’s match when di Canio was involved in what the paper called a “furious two-hour row with his players” following their fourth defeat in five Premier League games.
Quinn, a formerRepublic of Ireland striker who ended his playing days with Sunderland and later, after a brief spell in charge of the team, appointed his former international team-mate Roy Keane, said the club’s American owner Ellis Short needed to change tack if the team were to preserve their top-flight status.
“Sunderland need someone to galvanise the dressing room,” said Quinn. “They don’t need someone who is going to go out and say, ‘I’m in a hopeless situation here, these players are no good’.” — AFP
Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne said on Tuesday that the club sacked manager Paolo Di Canio in order to avoid becoming “cut adrift” at the foot of the Premier League.
The 45-year-old Italian was fired on Sunday after Sunderland drew one and lost four of their opening five league games, culminating in a 3-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.
Reports in the British media suggest Sunderland’s players were unhappy with the outspoken Di Canio’s methods, but Byrne said he was removed purely to improve the club’s chances of staying up.
Writing in the match-day programme ahead of Tuesday’s League Cup third-round tie with Peter-borough United, she said: “Whilst the focus is on tonight’s game, I know how disappointed each and every supporter was after Saturday’s result at West Brom.
“Everyone at the club felt the same disappointment.
“After Paolo saved us from relegation last season, we gave him an opportunity to take the club forward this season.
“When it becameobvious itwasn’t working, we had to take the decision to part company with him. We felt it was better to do this now as we ran the risk of being cut adrift at the bottom of the Barclays Premier League.
“We wish Paolo and his staff well for the future.”
Development coach Kevin Ball has been put in temporary charge of first-team affairs, with former Brighton and Hove Albion manager Gus Poyet the favourite to succeed Di Canio on a permanent basis. — AFP