bloody hell

Just been reading the summary from the yahoo news story off the home page, it does look and sounds like the players were ready to wear stab vests, a crazed man on the loose it seems

 

Following Paolo Di Canio's abrupt departure from Sunderland at the weekend, the newspapers have had a field day exposing the shocking facts of life under the combustible Italian.
Though no club figures have gone on the record to denounce Di Canio yet, the press appear to have been heavily briefed by those behind the scenes, cataloging all Di Canio’s shortcomings in his brief reign at the Stadium of Light.
The details that have been disclosed paint a far from flattering portrait of a man who was entrusted with a Premier League job despite minimal experience as a manager - his spell at Swindon lasting less than two seasons and also being scarred by huge disputes with his players.
It will take a long time - and a serious PR effort - for Di Canio to shake off the stigma of this disastrous spell, and in particular how he lost the dressing room so spectacularly. Indeed, it may well be that he will never again be trusted with a job in management after his efforts a a human wrecking ball at Sunderland.
So what exactly did he do that was so wrong? Here we examine the reasons why Di Canio lost control after only 13 games in charge.
The "systematic destruction of the players' self-esteem and self-worth"
Tuesday’s Independent gives a stark analysis of the Di Canio regime: “Di Canio’s relationship with the first-team players at Sunderland had deteriorated to such an extent that a source inside the club said: ‘It got to a point where they could not take any more. It became untenable. He was irrational at the end in his personal attacks on the players. There is relief more than anything that he has gone.’” Star summer signing Emmanuele Giaccherini and former captain Lee Cattermole are both reported to clashed with Di Canio in recent weeks.
Subjecting his players to heavy criticism, both privately and publicly
According to the Mirror, “The Italian is said to have regularly referred to his players as ‘f******g p****s’ in front of them. ‘Cowards’, was another favourite insult. One senior club source said if you thought the criticism he dished out in public was tough, it was nothing on the blistering verbal assaults on his players behind closed doors.”
Di Canio was certainly not shy in front of the cameras. After a 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace – a performance he described as “pathetic” – he said his players were “snobby” and “lazy” and that senior player John O’Shea had committed “rubbish” mistakes. Ji Dong-won pulled out of a header in that game and Di Canio told the world the striker was “without fire, without desire.”
Failing to purge the dressing room
Having exiled right-back Phil Bardsley in May after he was pictured in a Newcastle casino covered in £50 notes - “I thought at Swindon in League Two, arrogant, ignorant footballers in some way don’t know (the score) exactly because they’ve not had many chances at the top level. I have to tell you I have found a worse environment in terms of discipline at this club” - Di Canio was unable to shift the Scotland international, or former skipper Cattermole. The latter, it is said, led the players’ revolt against Di Canio last week.
Warnings from the PFA
Bardsley’s was the most high-profile incident but Di Canio fined a number of players within weeks of taking the Sunderland job and the squad took their grievances to the Professional Footballers’ Association. PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "He cannot be a law unto himself. We're aware of player unrest at some comments made publicly, and other situations. A number of players are involved. We're aware of Paolo Di Canio's comments - it's something we had to deal with [when the Italian was manager] at Swindon as well. Our rules for discipline are agreed with the Premier League and Football Association."
The players’ revolt against ‘dictator’ Di Canio
Things finally came to a head last week after what the Telegraph describe as “a player rebellion of unprecedented scale in this country.” According to the paper, numerous players indicated to the club they would refuse to play for Di Canio again in protest at the way he treated them. With morale through the floor, it is reported that his reaction to a 3-0 loss to West Brom at the weekend – a furious one, which involved heated confrontations with a number of stars - convinced a group of senior players to approach chief executive Margaret Byrne and director of football Roberto De Fanti on Sunday, where they alleged Di Canio was “behaving like a dictator”. According to the Telegraph, one player told the Italian: “All you have done since you got here is criticise us and the old manager [Martin O’Neill]. The difference is we liked him and would run through walls for him. Nobody likes you here. Nobody wants you here.”
The fascism storm
Di Canio’s arrival in the Premier League was always going to provoke renewed analysis of his contentious political views, which include the infamous declaration that “I am a fascist, not a racist” after he performed a straight-arm salute to Lazio supporters in 2005. David Miliband stepped down from Sunderland’s board in protest at his appointment yet, incredibly, the club tried to claim media scrutiny of Di Canio’s political allegiance was “insulting not only to him but to the integrity of this football club.” As people dredged up his admiration for Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, and his behaviour at Lazio, Di Canio released a statement to underline that "I am not a racist. I do not support the ideology of fascism." Still, early damage had been inflicted on this most controversial of figures.
Alienating members of staff
In the Telegraph’s excellent expose on Tuesday, the paper reveals how Di Canio “was also feared by staff members at the training ground after a series of arguments and dressing-downs.” It is alleged he banned anyone other than coaches from talking to first-team players and said the canteen should be vacated when players came to eat. The Telegraph adds: “Sunderland insiders claim the atmosphere at the training ground had been soured by fear and paranoia.”
Fostering a tense atmosphere at the training ground
Back to the Independent, who report that Di Canio had another way of keeping the first team separate from Sunderland’s other employees. The paper explains: “One (rule) in particular was that academy players at the training ground could not use the large gym if there was even a single first-team player using the equipment. Although it was comfortably big enough to accommodate many players at the same time, those outside the first-team squad would have to wait until the last of their senior colleagues had gone … it was one of many that came across as impractical and served only to increase the tension around the club.”
More strict rules
In August, Di Canio revealed the depth of his attention to detail in his attempts to control Sunderland’s players. Explaining what he described as “a complete revolution”, the Italian banned ketchup, coffee, mayonnaise, ice in drinks and even singing before games. As for communicating via text or phone call: “I’ve said that from now if someone comes inside with a mobile phone, even in their bag, I’ll throw it in the North Sea. They’re banned.”
Aggravating the fans
A section of supporters initially voiced their protest at Di Canio’s appointment given his previously expressed political leanings and as a result the Sunderland fan base never took to the new man – a derby win over Newcastle aside, of course. After the West Brom defeat at the weekend, Di Canio walked over to the Black Cats fans - who had made their feelings all too clear - and gave a ‘chin-up’ gesture, which only angered some of them ever more. "I knew that they were furious,” he said. “I went to them [at the end of the game] because I wanted to see their faces. It's easy to go over when they're clapping or singing your name. I'm responsible but my head is up. I won't give up."
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And yet some on here still think he should be with the club.....Hmmmmmm

 

It's still all rumours. Too many without clarification.

Can't believe I seem to be only one demanding that Short face the fans and give us answers. His faults at money management and contracts, explanation of hiring Paolo in the first place, and what led to his dismissal. We need to stop selling their papers for them and put all this to bed for the good of the image of the club.

 

I didn;t ask for him gone but, looking at what has come out since he went, I'm glad he has!

Scwere said that players are paid enough money to take what he says on the chin - not in my book - there's only so much a player can put up with and Sir Alex would certainly NEVER have treated his players like that

 

Fergie also got the results and success had a proven track record.

 

Some of these players have got 3 to 4 managers sacked ( did Martin o Neil treat them badly ?) so they need to own up and say they are not good enough for the premier league, and now how many are good enough who Di canio signed ?. I will be there tonight to back that team whoever plays 100% and hope we go on a good run in the league cup as it boosts every ones moral, and gives players a chance to come in and shine.

 

Bri, I think that most of what we are hearing, whether rumour or not, will soon be confirmed one way or another by filtering out from everyone trying to justify themselves.

There's definitely a multitude of "offences" he seems to have been accused of, but one thing definitely seems to be the case, and that is, it wasn't working.

Whilst I'm glad its been brought to a head early enough in the season, I agree with you that it would be good for Ellis to come out and make a statement as to his "vision" for the club, but also to at least admit to making a huge mistake in recruiting PdC in the first place, not because he actually took him on, but for the lack of apparent homework undertaken in getting to know his man better prior to his recruitment.

Then again, ES doesnt seem to be the sort of guy who feels the need to justify himself, insofar as I dont recall him ever giving an interview.

 

A clear defining statement today gives the tabloids one more article on the subject then they've no choice but stick to the football and the new manager. Then finally our club can stop being dragged through the dirt on a world stage and we can move on. Don't give a **** about the players, paolo or short, i care about SAFC and it's a laughing stock presently.

 

I find it really strange that the board seemed to know this was going on, but did nothing to intervene. Surely if you can see your investment starting to go tits up, you'd step in and have a word? There's obviously so much more going on than we'll probably ever know - or maybe this was the goal of his appointment: keep us up, see if he implodes, then sack him! Very Machiavellian if true!!

 

Exactly, surely if things were this extreme then word would have filtered back to somebody in authority to have a word, someone like Bally perhaps.

A half of what we hear will be bull, leaving that aside the remaining 50% is disturbing enough - but please remeber this is the English media you are dealing with - their motto is "why let the truth get in the way of a good story", they had it in for PDC and are in gloating mode.

 

The knives have been drawn since day one mate. They really annoying thing is that all the pundits have been rubbing their hands waiting for him to fail and yet they (Shearer etc) are now all saying he should have been given time. Bunch of hypocrites.

 

Well its no different some on here saying a new man must get two years , well these same posters have been rooting to get pdc out since the first day, dare i say they were right , it pains me to say.

 

I did not want MON but you will not here me crowing on about it, its like betting - keep backing horses and eventually back a winner - do not mistake it for intellect.

Don't overlook PDC kept us up (MON would not have done so) at a crucial time and brought the club £70 million in revenue.

It the safest bet in the world saying a Sunderland manager will fail.

 

It's so difficult for clubs these days to take the long view (and I include fans in this) as failure means relegation, loss of revenue and a much tougher struggle, than tears gone by, to gain promotion. I wish there was an answer apart from changing manager, but what else is there?

 

It will be interesting to hear PDC's version of all this is and knowing his love for the media spotlight, surely it can't be long before the worlds press are summoned for an audience to hear a man 3 sandwiches short of a picnic hamper talk about himself for an hour all in the 3rd party. Bizarre.

Until he has had his say, this mini circus will keep going. I think the club should stay out of the newspaper speculation business and get on with appointing a manager who will put a lid on this once and did all.

 

I think it would be utterly bizarre for the club not to say anything. That means Paolo's version of events could leave the club looking bad and lead to players speaking out on social networks which in turn could make us look even more of joke. It's got PR disaster written all over it. Make the statement and leave it all behind us I say.