Post date: Apr 02, 2013 2:27:52 PM
New Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio tries to focus on Black Cats' survival chances rather than past statement about fascism
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND, UK (APRIL 2, 2013) (ITN) - Paolo Di Canio sought to play down the controversy over his appointment as Sunderlandmanager on Tuesday (April 2) and said he would bet everything he had on the club staying in thePremier League.
Di Canio, 44, replaced Martin O'Neill at relegation-threatened Sunderland on Sunday and his appointment sparked the resignation of a former government minister from the club's board.David Miliband stepped down because of remarks the former Swindon Town boss made to Italian news agency ANSA in 2005 when he said: "I am a fascist, not a racist".
"I was prepared to be honest, not because of Paolo Di Canio because it's happened, the change," the Italian told a news conference in an effort to steer talk away from politics and back to football.
"I don't have to answer that question anymore for one reason, there was a very, very good statement from the club, very, very clear words that came out from me and I don't want to talk about politics for one reason, because I'm not in the House of Parliament I'm not a political person, I want to talk about only football.
"In 45 years I've never had a problem with anyone so that has to be enough forever, that that Paolo Di Canio is a normal person who respects the rules like many others."
Defeat to Manchester United on Saturday prompted Sunderland to oust O'Neill.
In 16th place in the table and without a win in eight games, they have only seven matches remaining to pull away from danger, but Di Canio was confident they could beat the drop.
"A big surprise, it is obvious that I felt straight away a fire in my stomach because I couldn't imagine, but it is obvious that after one second that I said yes, I come by swimming, no problem," he added.
"You always call me the mad Italian so I will bet all that I have got, what I got."
Di Canio enjoyed a colourful playing career with clubs including Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio, West Ham United and Celtic, but has never managed in the top flight and joins Sunderland six weeks after quitting Swindon.
Never far from the headlines, he is remembered for pushing over a referee while playing for SheffieldWednesday in England and drew outrage in 2005 when he celebrated his Lazio side's derby win over AS Roma with a fascist-style salute.
"I have a winning mentality, a winning mentality doesn't mean that now we have got to win seven games out of seven but we have to get enough points. With my knowledge, with my energy, with my way to try to persuade my players I sure that we can get something."