Marcotti: Sunderland fans in for an entertaining ride with Di Canio

Respected Italian football journalist Gab Marcotti says Sunderland fans are in for an 'entertaining ride' with Paolo Di Canio at the helm.

Di Canio, the former Juventus, AC Milan and West Ham striker, has replaced Martin O'Neill as the struggling Premier League club's manager on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The 44-year-old is regarded as one of football's most controversial characters and Marcotti, ghostwriter of Di Canio's autobiography, said:  "It's going to be an entertaining ride. You pretty much always know where you stand with Paolo.

"Even his biggest critics will concede he speaks his mind and faces the consequences. Sometimes players respond to that."