Manager Di Canio pledges to save Sunderland from relegation

London: Controversial new Sunderland coach Paolo Di Canio has vowed to `slap faces` and `kick bottoms` in a bid to save the club from relegation.

Admitting that his eccentric style may shock many people in the top-flight Premier League, the Italian warned that he would not hesitate to substitute players after 20 minutes if there were bickering and insisted he was the man to revive the club. The new Black Cats coach further said that he may need to kick the bottoms of players on some occasions if it becomes necessary in order to win the game, but hoped that it happens only when they are celebrating. Admitting that he had kicked footballer Matt Ritchie`s bottom and also had slapped his face a couple of times during his tenure at Swindon Town , Di Canio, however, said that it happened only when the team was celebrating a win. Warning that he will axe under-performing or bickering stars even early in a game, Di Canio said that it is necessary to know how to manage the players, adding that strict rules, discipline and hard work on the field are necessary factors for delivering a good game. According to Di Canio, although players have different egos in the Premier League, they still need to train properly during the week or risk anarchy in the team. ANI