Paolo Di Canio ‘heading to Sunderland for more manager talks

Paolo Di Canio is understood to be heading to Sunderland to conclude talks over becoming their new manager.

The Italian, who resigned as Swindon boss in February, could be in charge for his first game at Chelsea on Saturday before turning his attention to the Tyne-Wear derby with Newcastle at St James’ Park.

The 44-year-old is believed to have held initial talks over replacing the sacked Martin O’Neill with Black Cats chairman Ellis Short in London, and is now reportedly travelling up to the Stadium of Light in order to finalise a deal.

Sunderland sit just one point outside the bottom three, while joint 18th-placed Wigan, who beat Norwich yesterday, have a game in hand.

The Black Cats have failed to win since their victory at Wigan on January 19, losing five of the eight games since, and the appointment of wildcard Di Canio is largely seen as a last-ditch bid to inject some passion into this ailing side.

However, the fiery Italian would represent a significant gamble for Short, as Di Canio has a history of falling out with chairmen, players and supporters throughout his career.

Di Canio’s only managerial experience has come at Swindon where he won promotion from League Two at the first time of asking, but resigned in February due to off-field financial problems.