West Ham legend Paolo Di Canio has turned down League One jobs but dreams of English football return and hopes for club that can ‘forget rumours’ to resume managerial career

Paolo Di Canio is keen to resume his managerial career in England, eight years after his last job ended.

The West Ham legend, who also played for Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton, enjoyed an iconic playing career on these shores - and there were brief successes as a manager.

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In 2012, the Italian got Swindon Town promoted to League One in his first season as a coach and then kept Sunderland in the Premier League in 2013.

However, both jobs were over within months, and with his tenures dominated by backlash over his political views, many have since considered Di Canio to be more hassle than hiring him is worth.

A fiery character, Di Canio has always worn his heart on his sleeve, both on and off the pitch, making him a bold appointment for any club, but the 52-year-old wants all that to be forgotten so he can start over with a clean slate.

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He told talkSPORT: "I'm going to search League One and League Two because my priority is English football. In my opinion, I belong to English football.

"I love Italy and Serie A, it's my nation, but my first home is Italy, my first home of football is England.

"My dream is to come back as a manager to England. I need to find the right chairman that forgets all the rumours and things about me."

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While some might question the large gap in Di Canio's CV, the former playmaker insists his absence from the touchline has made him a better manager.

"I feel ready because I'm much stronger than I was before," he added. "In the last seven years, I analyse much more football than when I started.

"Now I'm watching two or three games per day, not only during the Euros, I'm watching every league around Europe."

Di Canio has already been approached about opportunities in League One, but wants to wait for the right opportunity.

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He continued: "I had the chance to come back twice in England, not in the Premier League or Championship, but in League One.

"It's not a problem with the league, it's the project. For me, being a manager is not an employment. It's a mission.

"I can start in League Two but I have to feel a good sensation about the people in front of me - a good project.

"If I'm just sitting on the bench for wages, I don't go."

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