Paolo Di Canio: Latest casuality of the dying breed of dictator

Paolo Di Canio – The last of a dying breed?

Managers once had the ultimate power at a club, but Paolo Di Canio’s sacking proves that such dictators are becoming dinosaurs.

Canio enforced many strict rules at Sunderland which included bans on ketchup, cola, ice cubes and mobiles phones at the training ground. But his regulated era did not last long as the club languished at the bottom of the table with a host of unhappy players.

Canio found himself time to speak about Sir Alex Ferguson, who might have been the last success as a dictator at the club.

“Sir Alex Ferguson, point No.4: never, ever cede control. This is Paolo Di Canio. This is why I’m at top level,” he said.

Ferguson, held his position while a long list of managers fell around him, with Roberto Mancini, Rafael Benitez and Jose Mourinho being the most notable on that list. And it may not be easy for a manger to follow the footsteps of Sir Alex.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that the manager should communicate with his players rather than ordering them.

“It is well documented the management of players is totally different to what it was 15 or 20 years ago. You can still tell anyone whatever you want but how you deliver it is important. Paolo was trying to create a culture of work and devotion. I could see what his vision was,” he said.

Hull city manager Steve Bruce agrees with Rodgers about taking an amiable approach towards the players rather than scaring them.

“You cannot manage in the Premier League these days through a fear factor. Man management has become more relevant than coaching. You’ve got to be able to manage individuals,” Bruce said.

Canio, certainly has the talent but his attitude might have cost him his position and he may be the last of the dying breed in the game.