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Harry Redknapp backs Paolo Di Canio move

Harry Redknapp believes that Paolo Di Canio will be a success as Sunderland manager.

Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has declared that Sunderland's decision to make Paolo Di Canio their new manager is a "great appointment".

The Black Cats decided to replace Martin O'Neill with Di Canio on Sunday, drawing criticism from some sections of the media, including Gary Neville.

Redknapp believes that Di Canio will make Sunderland "supremely fit" and has backed the Italian's infectious enthusiasm to pay off at the Stadium of Light.

He told The Sun: "Paolo is proof you don't have to be boring to be a manager. It's a gamble by Sunderland to take him on but you can't doubt his enthusiasm and commitment.

"He also knows our game inside out. It's not as if Sunderland have gone out and brought in a foreign coach for the sake of it. He has come back here to manage because he loves our game. And he wasn't given a top job straightaway.

"He started at Swindon [Town]. I can't imagine he did that for the money. He did it to work his way up and show people he can be a decent boss. It's a great appointment. Sunderland's players will be supremely fit. A few of my lads at QPR know some of the players at Swindon. And they've been surprised how fit they all are after working with Paolo."

Di Canio's first game as Sunderland boss will come with a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

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2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd149321871128
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4Burnley146621761124
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom14572148622
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7Watford147162222022
8Middlesbrough146351816221
9Swansea CitySwansea14545119219
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn145451616019
11Bristol City144731819-119
12Norwich CityNorwich144642320318
13Derby CountyDerby145361818018
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16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd144551717017
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19Luton TownLuton144371621-515
20Preston North EndPreston143651420-615
21Cardiff CityCardiff144371320-715
22Plymouth ArgylePlymouth144371425-1115
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