Di Canio takes shot at O’Shea

Paolo Di Canio has claimed Republic of Ireland defender John O’Shea told him “things” about Martin O’Neill when he was appointed Ireland manager.

The Italian, who previously dubbed some of his former Sunderland players as “cowards”, also singled out Lee Cattermole, Phil Bardsley and Steven Fletcher for criticism.

Di Canio believes Sunderland have found themselves deep in another relegation battle partly due to the “weak” mentality of the squad and called his former captain O’Shea two-faced.

“I don’t like people who, when they speak to you, don’t look into your eyes,” he said.

“He [O’Shea] should say sorry to some of his team-mates for the many times he came into my office to say something unfavourable about them. This is the same person that also came to me when I first took over and said things about [Martin] O’Neill. Of course, he now says something different because he has to play for him again [with the Republic of Ireland]. So before deciding to speak out about me, he should be more intelligent.

“I know things that can put him into trouble. My assistant Fabrizio Piccareta and I wrote down everything he said and did.

“I don’t want to make it public as I’m professional. I also know he has to play in that team and for O’Neill. But one day I may do, if he keeps saying things about me.”

Cattermole’s return to the first team coincided with the players’ revolt that unseated Di Canio from the manager’s chair at the Stadium of Light in September, while Bardsley crossed him on a couple of well documented occasions.

Both have been rehabilitated under Gus Poyet and are among the club’s leading performers in their drive to the Capital One Cup final.

However, Di Canio, clearly felt they were beyond redemption. “Those two players [Cattermole and Bardsley] were rotten,” he said, “the most unprofessional players I ever worked with.

“What Bardsley has done in the last year speaks volumes. Photos of him lying on the floor in a casino covered by £50 notes and laughing at the team losing on the opening day, that’s public.

“It’s no surprise these players were kicked out of my plans. The reason Sunderland stayed up at the end of last season was because Cattermole was injured and Bardsley played very little.”

Scottish international Fletcher also drew Di Canio’s ire after the striker claimed he did not allow him to laugh or smile in training.

“I don’t like people fooling around when we’re having a serious discussion about strategy,” Di Canio told the Sun on Sunday.

“I don’t like people who laugh when they keep missing the goal in training or miss a tackle that leads to conceding a goal.”

The former Swindon manager insisted he commanded the support of the bulk of Sunderland’s squad. “On my phone, I have 14 text messages from players at the club supporting me,” said Di Canio.