The game of football has produced so many colourful characters over the years, perhaps none more so than the lovably eccentric Paolo di Canio. A hugely gifted forward, who graced the shirts of many clubs in an eventful career, he is now trying his hand at management, having taken over the hotseat at fourth tier English club Swindon Town.
Di Canio has always been something of an enigma. There aren’t many players who are capable of pushing a referee to the floor in disgust, and fewer still who would deliberately catch a ball in his hands rather than score a goal because of an injury to an opposing goalkeeper: This is the ying and yang of this likeable, yet complex, individual.
Swindon have taken a gamble by hiring the Italian, who has no previous managerial experience, but they have also shown a great deal of imagination with the appointment. For the great football romantics, there are high hopes that it will prove to be an inspired move.
Di Canio’s passion for the game has never been in doubt, and it has endeared him to fans at every club he has played for. In the East End of London, the mere mention of the former Lazio man’s name is enough to bring a lump to the throat of many a West Ham fan. The Rome-born striker was so in love with the club that he once likened their claret and blue shirt to his own skin.
Swindon have been in the doldrums in recent years, and their brief flirtation with the Premier League – one season in the top flight in the 1993/94 season – seems an awfully long time ago now. A succession of managers have tried and failed to take the Wiltshire club back to the glory days, but none have succeeded. Steve McMahon, Dennis Wise, Paul Sturrock and Danny Wilson are just some of those who have endured, rather than enjoyed, spells in the hotseat at the County Ground. Now it’s Signor Di Canio’s turn.
The challenge is not likely to be an easy one. The Robins were relegated from League One last season, and they will do well to bounce straight back. The bookmakers, always shrewd judges when it comes to money matters, have made Crawley Town favourites to top the League Two table when May comes around, although Swindon are second favourites alongside the likes of Shrewsbury Town, Bristol Rovers and Oxford United. Di Canio can be sure that the coming ten months will be difficult and stressful.
While the Italian will no doubt be eagerly awaiting that special moment when the first ball is kicked in August, he may not be aware that being a manager is far more intense than being a player.
In the past, the 42-year-old could rely on working his socks off on the pitch before enjoying a shower and perhaps a massage. From now on, life will be full of sleepless nights worrying about whether the wage bill is getting out of hand, or if he can get his best players fit in time for their fourth match in ten days. He might be well advised to take a good look at his fingernails in July, because he may not have any by September.
With very little money to spend, Di Canio may find his biggest challenge before the season gets under way is simply hanging on to his current players. Club skipper, and Republic of Ireland international, Jonathan Douglas has already gone elsewhere, making the move to Brentford.
Defender Alberto Comazzi has recently signed for Swindon however, understandably claiming the opportunity to work with the great Paolo di Canio was a major influence on his decision. The former Verona player, who cut his teeth at AC Milan, may prove to be a major star in League Two next season, if he can adapt to the rough and tumble of England’s fourth tier.
It’s often the case that big-name managers can attract players to unfashionable clubs, so it may be that in Di Canio the board at the County Ground have made an appointment that is both brave and eventually successful.
Indeed, his presence caused another new arrival Joe Devera to snub interest from higher divisions, and incoming striker Raffaele de Vita to gush about the prospect of playing for Swindon.
“The aim for me was to play in the Championship or League One”, explained Devera, “but when Swindon showed an interest I wasn’t too fussed about staying in League Two.”
And De Vita has already been impressed with the Italian.
“He’s great, first impression was fantastic. He is so passionate about football and what he wants to do with Swindon.”
At the County Ground expectation is growing and the countdown to the 2011/12 kick off is on. Swindon are no doubt hoping that Di Canio will be the start of something big in Wiltshire.
