SoccerBible Meets Paolo Di Canio - Interview
Paolo Di Canio s illustrious playing career was packed with great goals and memorable moments. In Italy, he turned out for Lazio, Juventus, Napoli and AC Milan. He is also revered in Britain where his performances for Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United and Charlton Athletic captured the hearts of fans.
The Italian maestro, whose 2000 wonder-volley for West Ham United against Wimbledon was voted Premier League Goal Of The Decade, is now plying his trade as Manager of Swindon Town in npower League 2. SoccerBible met Di Canio to talk about his transition from player to manager - and it was clear his passion for the game is bigger than ever.
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Who is your football hero? Paolo Di Canio: When I was young and growing up, Diego Maradona was the player who inspired me to follow him and play football. But this doesn t mean I like him as a person as his behaviour off the field wasn't very good.
Who was your best-ever team mate?
PDC:Franco Baresi at AC Milan. He was amazing. He was a fantastic professional. He could keep it simple and he could use his body in a fantastic way. To play for AC Milan for 20 years is absolutely staggering. He is one of the best-ever players.
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opponents. Luckily, I scored twice against him, so I was happy!
What moment of your career do you look back on most fondly?
PDC: I can't say only one. There are three or four moments that gave me the same level of emotion. When I went back to Italy to play for Lazio in 2005, the first goal I scored was in the derby against Roma and we won 2-1. And the goal I scored for West Ham away against Manchester United in the FA Cup. We won and went through to the next round. That was an amazing day. Also, when I scored for Celtic against Rangers at Ibrox. It was only a draw, my goal made it 1-1, but the atmosphere that goal created was amazing.
At SoccerBible, we are big fans of Pantofola d Oro boots. Is it right you wore them during your playing days?
PDC: They are fantastic Italian boots. When I was a player, they made boots especially for me. A green and white pair with number 7 when I was at Celtic, and a blue and white pair with number 11 at Sheffield Wednesday.
Tell us how you signed for Swindon Town rather than a club in Italy or in another league?
PDC: I had three chances to sign for Italian clubs in Serie B and C but I denied them because my dream was to move to England. Once I decided I wanted to be a manager, I told my padre I wanted to wait for the chance in England. I love the football here. The fact that I am managing in League 2 is only because Swindon proposed to me an important plan for the future.
So for me, it s not important what level I am at, it is about the future of the football club. I also went to the computer to check the history of Swindon Town and it is amazing. There is big potential, there are lots of fans with a big passion. For this I moved to Swindon.
You have played under some great managers, including Fabio Capello, Marcello Lippi, Giovanni Trapattoni and Harry Redknapp. Who do you think has influenced your managerial style?
PDC: I have heard lots of managers saying 'I have my own style'. But, for me, when you become a manager it is the same as when you are a player. You must look at the best in the world and steal a bit of something from each of them. If I have to judge myself now as a manager, in the way that they handle the situation in the dressing room, I am a mix of Capello and Redknapp.
Do you have ambitions to manage your old club West Ham one day?
PDC: You can t live your life as a manager waiting for West Ham. I hope to spend lots of years here at Swindon and make some special things. One day, my ambition is to be an important manager at an important club and maybe in 20 years to come, to compete for the Champions League.
You played in some of the world s best football arenas. Do you still feel the same passion when you lead Swindon Town to away trips at smaller grounds with smaller crowds?
PDC: Absolutely. As a manager, I am exactly like when I used to play football. I focus my attention on the players and not the crowd. I want my team to win every game, whether I'm playing in the park or against Accrington Stanley or at home at the County Ground. Football is my passion. The way I approach the game is the same as if it was at Old Trafford. I don t hear the atmosphere around me.
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What do you think of Mario Balotelli? How would you treat him if he was at Swindon Town at the moment?
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SoccerBible met Paolo Di Canio at the offices of Intel, proud sponsors of the Swindon Town Football in the Community Trust. Share your thoughts online.
