Di Canio disgusted by ignorant and arrogant Sunderland players
Despite a 1-0 defeat at Spurs on the final day Sunderland stayed up courtesy of Wigan’s midweek defeat at Arsenal.
That result prompted party time among the Sunderland squad with full-back Phil Bardsley pictured in a Sunday newspaper lying in a casino with £50 notes around his head.
Bardsley won’t be seen again in a Sunderland shirt with di Canio determined to change the mentality of players at the club.
“I thought at Swindon in League Two there were ignorant, arrogant footballers who did not have a chance at the top level,” the former Celt explained. “But I have to tell you, I have found a worse environment in terms of discipline at this club.
“This is what I have found in the last few weeks, so we have to change it completely.
“It will be very hard if I do not receive the maximum support from the board. At the beginning, I thought it would be difficult.
“Week by week, day by day, I have discovered we have more problems than I expected.
“What we discovered this week is only one aspect of the problems we have. It doesn’t mean everybody goes out every night and has a drinking session, but in general I go mad at some things.
“What happened to Bardsley is part of what else has happened in the last few days.
In a week, I have given seven fines into players’ hands.”
Referring to the Bardsley picture di Canio added: “It disgusted me to see this image for the club. They have to behave well. They cannot be coming in at two or three o’clock, full of alcohol.
“I didn’t see the pictures, but the morning after, I told my assistant manager I don’t play Phil on Sunday.
“Why? Because when I spoke to him he looked at the sky. He couldn’t listen to what I had to tell him. He was blurry.
“I didn’t know what had happened then, but I soon discovered. I read my player. Something had gone wrong, and I discovered it was a really bad situation.
“There were other players out as well, but the other players left the two guys before they got into the casino. They were not there until early in the morning.
“They all went out together and watched the Wigan game – they are allowed to do this. They had a drink and celebrated, but went home before midnight. What I saw after that is not acceptable for my club and my squad.”