Paolo Di Canio facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Paolo Di Canio

Di Canio in 2010
Personal information
Full name	Paolo Di Canio
Date of birth	(1968-07-09) 9 July 1968 (age 57)
Place of birth	Rome, Italy
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Forward, attacking midfielder
Youth career
	Lazio
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1985–1990	Lazio	54	(4)
1986–1987	→ Ternana (loan)	27	(2)
1990–1993	Juventus	78	(6)
1993–1994	Napoli	26	(5)
1994–1996	Milan	37	(6)
1996–1997	Celtic	26	(12)
1997–1999	Sheffield Wednesday	41	(15)
1999–2003	West Ham United	118	(47)
2003–2004	Charlton Athletic	31	(4)
2004–2006	Lazio	50	(11)
2006–2008	Cisco Roma	46	(14)
Total		534	(126)
International career
1988–1990	Italy U21	9	(2)
1989	Italy B	1	(0)
Managerial career
2011–2013	Swindon Town
2013	Sunderland
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Paolo Di Canio (born on 9 July 1968) is a former Italian professional footballer and manager. He played as a forward, scoring over 100 goals in more than 500 league games. He was known for his skill with the ball and his strong personality.

Di Canio started his career in Italy, playing for famous clubs like Lazio, Juventus, Napoli, and Milan. He then moved to Scotland to play for Celtic, followed by seven years in the English Premier League with Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United, and Charlton Athletic. He returned to Italy in 2004, playing for Lazio again and Cisco Roma before retiring in 2008. He played for Italy's under-21 team but never for the senior national team.

As a player, Di Canio won awards like the SPFA Players' Player of the Year in 1997 and West Ham's player of the season in 2000. However, his career also had some controversial moments, including a long ban for pushing a referee. He also received negative attention for his political views.

In 2011, Di Canio became a football manager in England. He led Swindon Town to promotion in his first full season. He then managed Sunderland in 2013 but left the club later that year.

Early Life and Football Dreams

Paolo Di Canio was born in Rome, Italy. He grew up in a working-class area where most people supported the football club Roma. However, Di Canio chose to support their local rivals, Lazio.

When he was young, he was called Pallocca, which meant "lard-ball," because he was a bit chubby and had knock-knees. He even needed to wear special shoes. But he didn't let this stop him. He worked hard to become a strong and fit person.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting in Italy

Di Canio joined Lazio in 1985 and stayed there until 1990. Lazio was promoted to Serie A, Italy's top league, in 1988. He played his first senior game in October 1988. He scored the winning goal in a big local derby match against Roma, which made him a hero to Lazio fans.

In 1990, he moved to Juventus, another big Italian club. He won the UEFA Cup with them in 1993. However, he found it hard to get regular playing time because of many other talented forwards. After a disagreement with his manager, he moved to Napoli for one season. He then spent two seasons at AC Milan, where he won the Serie A title in 1996. Again, he faced tough competition for a spot in the team.

Moving to Scotland: Celtic

In July 1996, Di Canio joined Celtic in Scotland. In his first season, he scored 15 goals and won the PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year award. However, his time in Glasgow also had some controversial moments. He was sent off in a game and had an aggressive argument during a match against Rangers. At the end of the season, he asked for a big pay raise, which Celtic refused. He then decided not to join the team for pre-season training.

Success in England: Sheffield Wednesday

On 6 August 1997, Di Canio moved to the English Premier League to play for Sheffield Wednesday. He quickly became a fan favorite and was the club's top goal scorer in the 1997–98 season with 14 goals.

In September 1998, during a game against Arsenal, Di Canio was sent off. He then pushed the referee, Paul Alcock, to the ground. This action led to a long ban of eleven matches and a fine of £10,000.

West Ham United and Fair Play

Di Canio playing in a special match in 2010

In January 1999, Di Canio joined West Ham United. He had not played football since his ban. West Ham's manager, Harry Redknapp, took a chance on him. Di Canio quickly showed his talent, scoring his first goal for West Ham in February 1999. He helped the team finish high in the league and qualify for the UEFA Cup.

In March 2000, he scored an amazing flying volley goal against Wimbledon. This goal is still considered one of the best in Premier League history. West Ham fans also voted him their player of the season.

In December 2000, during a game against Everton, Di Canio showed incredible sportsmanship. The Everton goalkeeper was injured on the ground, and Di Canio had a chance to score. Instead, he stopped playing and grabbed the ball so the goalkeeper could get help. The crowd gave him a standing ovation. FIFA praised his action and gave him the FIFA Fair Play Award the next year.

Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him for Manchester United in 2002, but Di Canio chose to stay at West Ham. He felt West Ham had given him a "lifeline" during a difficult time. In 2003, he had a public disagreement with manager Glenn Roeder. However, he returned to the team and scored a winning goal against Chelsea. West Ham was relegated on the final day of the season, and Di Canio left the club.

Charlton Athletic and Return to Italy

For the 2003–04 season, Di Canio joined Charlton Athletic. He helped them achieve their highest league finish since 1953. He scored four league goals, including a clever "Panenka"-style penalty kick against Arsenal.

In August 2004, he returned to his home team, Lazio, even taking a big pay cut. Lazio fans were happy to have a local supporter back in the team. He scored in the Rome derby again, helping Lazio win 3–1 against Roma. However, he had some problems with teammates and coaches, and his contract was not renewed in 2006. He then signed with Cisco Roma in a lower Italian league, playing there until he retired.

On 10 March 2008, Di Canio announced his retirement from playing football due to physical issues. He wanted to become a coach. He later played in a special match for West Ham in 2010. In his honor, West Ham opened the Paolo Di Canio Lounge at their stadium.

International Appearances

Paolo Di Canio played for the Italian under-21 team nine times between 1988 and 1990, scoring two goals. He was part of the squad that finished third in the 1990 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. However, he was never selected to play for the senior Italian national team.

Playing Style

Di Canio was a versatile attacker. He mainly played as a forward who dropped back to help create chances, but he could also play as an attacking midfielder or a winger. He was known for his creativity, ability to score goals, and excellent technical skills, including his dribbling. People often said he had "an eye for the spectacular." However, he was also known for being a bit unpredictable and for his strong temper on the field.

Managerial Career

Leading Swindon Town

Di Canio at the Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in 2010

On 20 May 2011, Di Canio became the manager of Swindon Town. The team had just been relegated to League Two. He started his managerial career with a 3–0 win. In January 2012, Swindon caused an FA Cup upset by beating Premier League club Wigan Athletic 2–1. Di Canio was very passionate, sometimes getting sent to the stands for showing his frustration.

Under Di Canio, Swindon reached the 2012 Football League Trophy Final, but they lost 2–0. On 21 April 2012, Swindon earned promotion to League One. Di Canio dedicated this success to his parents. A week later, Swindon won the League Two title with a big 5–0 victory.

In January 2013, Swindon faced financial difficulties. Di Canio even offered to pay some of his own money to keep loan players at the club. He worked with about 200 volunteers to clear a snow-covered pitch so a game could go ahead, and he thanked them by ordering pizza. Due to ongoing financial problems, Di Canio resigned as manager of Swindon Town in February 2013.

Managing Sunderland

On 31 March 2013, Sunderland appointed Di Canio as their new manager. This appointment caused some controversy because of Di Canio's past political statements. The club's vice-chairman, David Miliband, resigned immediately because of these statements. The Durham Miners' Association also expressed their anger by removing a mining banner from Sunderland's stadium.

Di Canio's main job was to keep Sunderland in the Premier League. His second game in charge was a big local derby against Newcastle United. Sunderland won 3–0, their first away victory in that match in over ten years. Di Canio celebrated wildly. Sunderland managed to stay in the Premier League that season.

For the 2013–14 season, Di Canio had to work with many new players. After five league games, Sunderland had only one point. Di Canio was dismissed on 22 September 2013, after only 13 games in charge. The club stated that senior players had approached them, and Di Canio's situation became difficult due to his strong criticism of the team.

Political Views and Controversy

Paolo Di Canio has openly stated his political views, describing himself as a "fascist." This has caused controversy throughout his career.

He has used a specific gesture, known as the Fascist salute, towards Lazio supporters during games. This gesture was adopted by Italian fascists in the 20th century. After using it in a match, he received a one-match ban and a fine. He said he would always use the salute because it gave him "a sense of belonging to my people."

Di Canio has also expressed admiration for Benito Mussolini, a former Italian dictator. In his 2001 autobiography, he described Mussolini as "a very principled, ethical individual."

His political beliefs have led to issues in his managerial career. When he became manager of Swindon Town in 2011, a trade union ended its sponsorship with the club because of his views. Similarly, when he was appointed manager of Sunderland in 2013, the club's vice-chairman resigned, and a miners' association protested his appointment.

Some people believe Di Canio's behavior is linked to his personality rather than deep political beliefs. Di Canio himself has said he is not politically active and does not vote.

Personal Life

Paolo Di Canio has several tattoos. On his right arm, he has the Latin word "DUX", which means "leader" and was a nickname for Benito Mussolini. His back is covered with tattoos of symbols associated with fascism, including an eagle and a portrait of Mussolini. He also has a West Ham United tattoo and a tattoo of his father.

Di Canio has also spoken about the influence of Samurai culture and Japanese spiritual ideas on his life.

Career Statistics

Club

• 1.Includes Coppa Italia, Scottish Cup and FA Cup
• 2.Includes Scottish League Cup and EFL Cup.
• 3.Includes UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup.
• 4.Includes Supercoppa Italiana.

Managerial Statistics

Honours and Awards

Player

Lazio

• Serie B promotion: 1987–88
• Supercoppa Italiana runner-up: 2004

Juventus

• UEFA Cup: 1992–93
• Coppa Italia runner-up: 1991–92

Milan

• Serie A: 1995–96
• UEFA Super Cup: 1994
• Intercontinental Cup runner-up: 1994

West Ham United

• UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1999

Individual Awards

• PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year: 1996–97
• Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Player of the Year: 1998
• Hammer of the Year: 2000
• BBC Goal of the Season: 1999–2000
• FIFA Fair Play Award: 2001

Manager

Swindon Town

• Football League Two: 2011–12
• Football League Trophy runner-up: 2011–12

Individual Awards

• LMA League Two Manager of the Year: 2012
• Football League Two Manager of the Month: February 2012

See also

In Spanish: Paolo Di Canio para niños