Martin O’Neill has spoken out for the first time about his sacking from Sunderland.
The appointment of Paolo di Canio has diverted attention away from O’Neill’s dismissal after just 15 months in charge of the club.
It’s the first time that O’Neill has ever been sacked with some people speculating that he may never return to management.
For now however the former Celtic boss is baffled that he is no longer involved in the battle to avoid relegation from the Premiership.
“I’m still disappointed and frustrated as much as anything else but life goes on,” he told BBC 5 Live. “The disappointment more than anything else has had an effect but there is an element of everything.
“I’m in the business now where very little shocks you about professional football, particularly in the last 10 years. You can lose your job if your tie doesn’t fit your suit.
“With the experience I’ve had over the years I thought…also perhaps coming into the football club as well, when the club was pretty much on its knees and I saved the club from relegation, that opportunity still should have been afforded to me.”
Di Canio will be in charge of Sunderland for the first time on Sunday at Chelsea with the Italian quick to make an impact on the training ground.
Adam Johnson said: “It’s been a lot different. He’s come in and everything has just been turned upside down so quickly, so everyone is still getting used to it. But so far so good, really.
“I think he’s probably going to get the best out of the lads and I think he demands the best and obviously we’ve got to work so hard. That’s probably what we need.
“Everybody is very excited.
“He’s full of enthusiasm and energy. He just demands the best from his players. I think if you do well for him I think he’s going to be a great manager to work for.
“Any time a new manager comes in, people are a little bit stand-off and you don’t know how to react.
“Everything happens so quickly. One day you turn up and a new manager turns up. It’s difficult, but I’m sure over the course of time everything will fit into.”
Glad to hear what Martin has to say.He is a professional Manager with the resume to prove it.Good luck to Sunderland .Their American owner has obviouly been planning this for some time or he is a knee jerk reaction person , who has made this change without weighing all the consequences of such an appointment or the potential detriment to the credibility of the EPL in football world.Di Canio whether successful or not was the wrong choice for “the beautiful game”.
You don’t go from being one of the most sought after managers in Europe to getting the sack from a team like Sunderland without there being some drastic error by the board.
“A funny old game” what an understatement. What I don’t understand is that the fans had not turned on Martin and Martin himself was very confident they would survive. Look at the “provincial” clubs in the EPL their records in keeping managers is horrendous.
Alex Ferguson and Davie Moyes could easily have been cast aside at one time or another but their clubs have stuck with them and reeped the rewards. I can’t believe the whispers about Arsen Wenger being relieved of his duties at Arsenal ffs he’s one of the best managers in the world. The one stain ridden exception to the rule of course is Chelsea but to me they are a completely heartless club.
I really hope Martin finds another club quickly. Alternatively what about him taking the Northern Irish job, now that would put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Hail hail
Sorry Jimbo but a lot of Sunderland Fans had turned on O’Neill and were looking for the board to take action. O’Neill the past few months looked drained and void of ideas. The football we were playing was some of the worst ever seen at the Stadium of Light. My brother for example has been a season ticket holder for many years and he was considering stopping and not going next season as the football has been that bad, maybe now PDC can change his mind. O’Neill dont get me wrong is a lovely bloke and all Sunderland Fans thank him for what he did last season in turning us around but this season for whatever reason it has just not worked out and I dont think im alone in saying im fairly certain we would have gone down with him still there, at least with PDC coming in it could ignite a spark to get us the three wins we probably need to stay up. There is no garuntee but I think it was needed. We all wish O’Neill the best of luck for the future. But a new vibrant manager with different thought tactical knowledge and not scared to change things is needed.
Fair enough NandC, but I think it’s still sad after Martin kept you’s up last year. I hope you stay up but if not there will always be that nagging thought could Martin have done it??
I’ll admit I’m no fan of PDC and was shocked at his appointment. All the best for the remainder of the season. Hail hail
larrson idolised the man…tears were shed when he left…..you fools….love di canio the player….but do u really wantto b linked to a hitler saluting self proffessed fan???
think about it……please not a good move…oneillntook us to euro final 2003 with his tactics…r u sure the players bought in…not too many prina donnas….
need to apologise after my rant last week re MON. just lingering sense of lost when left. (nobody wants the good times too end). more sedate and sober now.
wish the man all the best. as long as its not with the pretend where a seperate country. dont think he’d ever consider it but.his IQ is well over ten.HH
O’Neill will resurface and will be successful again…it happens to the best managers in the world at times…