Paolo Di Canio facts for kids
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Di Canio in 2010
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paolo Di Canio | ||
| Date of birth | 9 July 1968 | ||
| Place of birth | Rome, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.75 m | ||
| Playing position | Forward | ||
| 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) | |
| National team | |||
| 1988–1990 | Italy U21 | 9 | (2) |
| 1989 | Italy B | 1 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2011–2013 | Swindon Town | ||
| 2013 | Sunderland | ||
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Paolo Di Canio (born 9 July 1968) is an Italian former professional footballer and manager. He played as a forward, but also as an attacking midfielder or winger. Di Canio was known for his technical skills and strong personality.
He started his career in Italy, playing for famous clubs like Lazio, Juventus, Napoli, and Milan. Later, he moved to Scotland to play for Celtic. He then spent seven years in the English Premier League with Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United, and Charlton Athletic.
Di Canio returned to Italy in 2004, playing for Lazio and Cisco Roma before he retired in 2008. He played for the Italian under-21 team but never for the senior national team. He won awards like the SPFA Players' Player of the Year in 1997 and West Ham's player of the season in 2000.
After retiring as a player, Di Canio became a football manager. He managed Swindon Town and helped them get promoted to League One. He also managed Sunderland in the Premier League.
Contents
Early Life and Football Dreams
Paolo Di Canio was born in Rome, Italy, in an area where most people supported the football club Roma. However, Di Canio was a big fan of their rivals, Lazio.
When he was a young boy, he was called Pallocca, which meant "lard-ball," because he was a bit chubby. He also had to wear special shoes. But he worked hard to become a strong athlete.
Playing Career Highlights
Starting in Italy
Di Canio joined Lazio in 1985. He played there until 1990. In 1988, Lazio moved up to Serie A, Italy's top league. Di Canio scored a winning goal in a big local game, the Rome derby. This made him a hero to Lazio fans.
In 1990, he moved to Juventus, another major 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 coach, he left Juventus.
He then played for Napoli for one season. Next, he joined AC Milan for two seasons, winning the Serie A title in 1996. Again, he faced tough competition for a spot on the team.
Time in Scotland with Celtic
In July 1996, Di Canio moved to Scotland to play for Celtic. In his first season, he scored 15 goals and was named the SPFA Player of the Year.
His time at Celtic also had some difficult moments. He was sent off in a game and had a heated exchange with an opponent in another match. He later asked for a big pay raise, which Celtic refused. This led to him leaving the club.
Moving to England: Sheffield Wednesday
On 6 August 1997, Di Canio joined Sheffield Wednesday in the English Premier League. He quickly became a fan favorite and was the team's top scorer in the 1997–98 season with 14 goals.
In September 1998, during a game, Di Canio was sent off. He reacted by pushing the referee. This led to him being banned for eleven matches and fined.
Success at West Ham United
In January 1999, Di Canio signed with West Ham United. The manager, Harry Redknapp, took a chance on him after his ban. Di Canio said he was sorry for his mistake and happy for the new opportunity.
He scored 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 a spectacular flying volley goal against Wimbledon. This goal is still considered one of the best in Premier League history. Fans also voted him their "Hammer of the Year."
In December 2000, Di Canio showed great sportsmanship in a game against Everton. When the Everton goalkeeper was injured, Di Canio stopped playing instead of scoring an easy goal. The crowd gave him a standing ovation. FIFA praised his action and gave him the FIFA Fair Play Award.
Sir Alex Ferguson from Manchester United tried to sign him, but Di Canio chose to stay with West Ham. He felt West Ham had given him a "lifeline" when he needed it most.
In 2003, West Ham was struggling. Di Canio had a public disagreement with his manager. He returned to the team later and scored a crucial goal against Chelsea. However, West Ham was still relegated from the Premier League. He then left the club.
Final Years as a Player
Di Canio joined Charlton Athletic for the 2003–04 season. He helped Charlton finish 7th, their best league position since 1953. He scored four goals, all from penalty kicks. One was a very clever "Panenka" style penalty against Arsenal.
In August 2004, he returned to his home team, Lazio, even taking a big pay cut. He scored in the Rome derby again, helping Lazio win 3–1. However, he had some disagreements with the club president.
He then signed with Cisco Roma in a lower Italian league. On 10 March 2008, Di Canio announced his retirement from playing football. He wanted to become a coach.
He played in a special game for West Ham in 2010. In his honor, West Ham opened the "Paolo Di Canio Lounge" at their stadium.
International Appearances
Di Canio played for the Italian under-21 team nine times, scoring two goals. He was never chosen to play for the senior Italian national team.
Playing Style
Paolo Di Canio was a very flexible attacker. He usually played as a forward who dropped back to help the midfield. 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. He was also good at dribbling and had quick feet. People described him as having "an eye for the spectacular." However, he was also known for his strong personality and sometimes inconsistent play.
Managerial Career
Leading Swindon Town
On 20 May 2011, Di Canio became the manager of Swindon Town. They had just been relegated to League Two. His first game was a 3–0 win.
In January 2012, Swindon caused a surprise in the FA Cup by beating Premier League team Wigan Athletic. Di Canio was very proud of his players. He was sometimes sent off the field for showing too much emotion.
Swindon reached the 2012 Football League Trophy Final, but lost. On 21 April 2012, Swindon was promoted to League One. Di Canio dedicated this success to his parents. A week later, Swindon won the League Two title.
In January 2013, Di Canio even helped clear a snow-covered pitch with volunteers so a game could be played. He ordered pizza for everyone who helped.
Later, Swindon faced financial problems. Di Canio offered to pay his own money to keep players. He eventually resigned as manager due to the club's financial issues.
Managing Sunderland
On 31 March 2013, Sunderland hired Di Canio as their new manager. This decision caused some debate because of Di Canio's past political statements. The club's vice-chairman resigned because of it.
Di Canio's first big game was the Tyne–Wear derby against Newcastle United. Sunderland won 3–0, their first away win in that game 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.
Political Views and Public Statements
Paolo Di Canio has openly shared his political views. In 2005, he said he was "a fascist, not a racist."
He has used the Roman salute towards Lazio supporters. This gesture was used by Italian fascists in the 20th century. He received a one-match ban and a fine for this. He said he uses the salute as a sign of belonging to a group with "true values."
He has also expressed admiration for the historical figure Benito Mussolini. In his 2001 autobiography, he described Mussolini as "a very principled, ethical individual."
These political views have caused controversy during his managerial career. When he became manager of Swindon Town, a trade union ended its sponsorship with the club because of his views. When he was appointed manager of Sunderland, the club's vice-chairman resigned.
Personal Life
Di Canio has several tattoos. On his right arm, he has the Latin word "DUX", which means "leader." This word is linked to Benito Mussolini. He also has a tattoo of his father on his chest and a West Ham United tattoo on his left arm.
Di Canio has also spoken about his interest in Samurai culture and Japanese spiritual ideas.
Career statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Ternana (loan) | 1986–87 | Serie C2 | 27 | 2 | 6 | 3 | — | 33 | 5 | |||||
| Lazio | 1988–89 | Serie A | 30 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 36 | 2 | ||||||
| 1989–90 | Serie A | 24 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 4 | |||||||
| Total | 54 | 4 | 8 | 2 | — | 62 | 6 | |||||||
| Juventus | 1990–91 | Serie A | 23 | 3 | 6 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | — | 34 | 3 | ||
| 1991–92 | Serie A | 24 | 0 | 9 | 1 | — | 33 | 1 | ||||||
| 1992–93 | Serie A | 31 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 44 | 4 | |||||
| Total | 78 | 6 | 19 | 1 | — | 14 | 0 | — | 111 | 7 | ||||
| Napoli | 1993–94 | Serie A | 26 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 27 | 5 | |||
| Milan | 1994–95 | Serie A | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 1 | ||||
| 1995–96 | Serie A | 22 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 34 | 6 | |||||
| Total | 37 | 6 | 6 | 1 | — | 10 | 0 | — | 53 | 7 | ||||
| Celtic | 1996–97 | Scottish Premier Division | 26 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 37 | 15 | |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 1997–98 | Premier League | 35 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | 40 | 14 | |||
| 1998–99 | Premier League | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | |||||
| Total | 41 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 2 | — | 48 | 17 | |||||
| West Ham United | 1998–99 | Premier League | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 4 | ||
| 1999–2000 | Premier League | 30 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 45 | 18 | |||
| 2000–01 | Premier League | 31 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 37 | 11 | ||||
| 2001–02 | Premier League | 26 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 9 | |||||
| 2002–03 | Premier League | 18 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 9 | |||||
| Total | 118 | 47 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 1 | — | 141 | 51 | |||
| Charlton Athletic | 2003–04 | Premier League | 31 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 33 | 5 | |||
| Lazio | 2004–05 | Serie A | 23 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 7 | |
| 2005–06 | Serie A | 27 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | — | 32 | 7 | ||||
| Total | 50 | 11 | 2 | 0 | — | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 62 | 14 | |||
| Cisco Roma | 2006–07 | Serie C2 | 28 | 7 | 5 | 3 | — | 33 | 10 | |||||
| 2007–08 | Serie C2 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 7 | |||||||
| Total | 46 | 14 | 7 | 3 | — | 53 | 17 | |||||||
| Career total | 534 | 126 | 64 | 14 | 15 | 5 | 46 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 670 | 149 | ||
- 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
| Team | From | To | Record | Ref | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Swindon Town | 20 May 2011 | 18 February 2013 | 95 | 54 | 18 | 23 | 56.8 | |
| Sunderland | 31 March 2013 | 22 September 2013 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 23.1 | |
| Total | 108 | 57 | 21 | 30 | 52.8 | — | ||
Honours
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
- 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
- LMA League Two Manager of the Year: 2012
- Football League Two Manager of the Month: February 2012
Images for kids
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Di Canio in 2010
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Di Canio at the Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in 2010
See also
In Spanish: Paolo Di Canio para niños
