Di Canio quells fascism furore

New Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has labelled himself the ‘unique one’ as he attempts to calm the outrage surrounding his appointment.

The former Swindon boss was installed as Martin O’Neill’s successor on Sunday following the Northern Irishman’s sacking a day earlier and was immediately caught up in the spotlight on account of his alleged fascist beliefs.

But Di Canio is looking to deflect attention away from the issue and says there are similarities between himself and Real Madrid counterpart Jose Mourinho, who famously labelled himself ‘the special one’ upon his appointment at Chelsea in 2004.

“We (Di Canio and Mourinho) are all different but it’s obvious that some traits of our characters are similar,” Di Canio told The Guardian. “I always speak what I think. Sometimes I have a strategy.

“Many, many people said he was arrogant. Jose has a very high belief in himself but that is all and perhaps I am similar. I believe in my knowledge and myself. I am confident I can deliver the best job for this club.

“It is obvious that I’m not trying to imitate him because I’m Paolo Di Canio. I am only at the beginning of my career and I will do things in my own way.

“That way I know I can have success. We can joke about being the special one, or the unique one, but one day we will discover that I am either a fantastic, good or normal manager.”

Di Canio has so far rebuffed any opportunities to deny his far-right political stance and angrily insists he is not obliged to provide an answer as he is merely a football manager and not a politician.

“I don’t have to answer any more this question,” Di Canio added. “My life speaks for me so there is no need to speak any more about this situation because it is ridiculous and pathetic.

“I am at a football club. If I was working in the Houses of Parliament then I would answer a political question, but I’m probably never going to get there. I only want to talk about football. This story has to finish. Paolo Di Canio is 45 years of age and his life speaks for him.”