Short admits Di Canio mistake

27 October 2013 16:16

Sunderland owner Ellis Short has admitted he got it wrong when he appointed Paolo Di Canio as head coach.

The 45-year-old Italian lasted only 13 games in the job despite guiding the Black Cats to Barclays Premier League safety last season, and was replaced by Gus Poyet earlier this month.

Writing in his programme notes ahead of Sunday's derby clash with Newcastle, Short said: "With the euphoria from our successful survival fight at the end of last season and the optimism surrounding our pre-season, we could never have imagined in our worst nightmare being in the position we are in now.

"The club has been in turmoil as a result of the change of head coach so early in the season.

"I have to take the blame for that. Clearly at least one of the decisions I made over the last several months was the wrong one.

"I believe this period of uncertainty is now over with the appointment of Gus Poyet.

"Gus' challenge at Sunderland is to establish stability, get what I consider to be a good squad of players together as a cohesive unit and to begin fighting our way back up the table.

"This will have to be a steady, one-game-at-a-time recovery."

Source: PA