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Charlton Athletic manager optimistic about Canio`s entry
London, Aug 13: Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley believes new signing Paolo Di Canio can lift his side another notch in the premier league hierarchy.
London, Aug 13: Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley believes new signing Paolo Di Canio can lift his side another notch in the premier league hierarchy.
"He can bring a bit more to this team. I know there's a bit more that can come out of this team, and he can do it," Curbishley told a news conference marking the Italian striker's official presentation. "I want his professionalism to rub off on the other players. He had a great reputation at other clubs."
Curbishley, whose side finished 12th in the premier league last season, has been in charge of the modest Southeast London club for a decade and steered them to promotion in 2000. "Now he's coming to a different situation, we've been going for 10 years," Curbishley added. "I just want him to push us a bit further forward, make us a better team." Charlton signed Di Canio on Monday on a one-year deal after the Italian was released by relegated West Ham United at the end of last season.
"I took no-one's advice on Paolo, I knew what I wanted to know about him," said Curbishley. "Every time we played West Ham he frightened the life out of me.
Curbishley said he wished he had gone for Di Canio a few weeks earlier so he would be match-fit for Charlton's league opener at home to Manchester City on Saturday.
The fiery 35-year-old Italian said one of his priorities was to continue his career in England.
"I received two other offers from English premier league clubs and I didn't accept for some reasons, not only economic," he said. "I wanted to play in England ... and for Charlton because of the way they approached me, which was very important," the Italian said.
"They showed me a video of what's happened here at Charlton in the last 10 years and it was easy for me to choose Charlton.
"At my age it's not important if I get 100,000 pounds more."
Di Canio refused to be drawn into discussion about his turbulent relationship with West Ham manager Roeder.
"I lived with (West Ham) for three and a half years and I saw some situations and I said some things, but now stop...," he said raising his hand. "Now I want to reassure my new supporters. I need to prove I'm the same player," said Di Canio.
In three and a half years with West Ham, Di Canio played 118 league games and scored 48 goals. He has also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Celtic and a number of top Italian sides.
Bureau Report
Curbishley, whose side finished 12th in the premier league last season, has been in charge of the modest Southeast London club for a decade and steered them to promotion in 2000. "Now he's coming to a different situation, we've been going for 10 years," Curbishley added. "I just want him to push us a bit further forward, make us a better team." Charlton signed Di Canio on Monday on a one-year deal after the Italian was released by relegated West Ham United at the end of last season.
"I took no-one's advice on Paolo, I knew what I wanted to know about him," said Curbishley. "Every time we played West Ham he frightened the life out of me.
Curbishley said he wished he had gone for Di Canio a few weeks earlier so he would be match-fit for Charlton's league opener at home to Manchester City on Saturday.
The fiery 35-year-old Italian said one of his priorities was to continue his career in England.
"I received two other offers from English premier league clubs and I didn't accept for some reasons, not only economic," he said. "I wanted to play in England ... and for Charlton because of the way they approached me, which was very important," the Italian said.
"They showed me a video of what's happened here at Charlton in the last 10 years and it was easy for me to choose Charlton.
"At my age it's not important if I get 100,000 pounds more."
Di Canio refused to be drawn into discussion about his turbulent relationship with West Ham manager Roeder.
"I lived with (West Ham) for three and a half years and I saw some situations and I said some things, but now stop...," he said raising his hand. "Now I want to reassure my new supporters. I need to prove I'm the same player," said Di Canio.
In three and a half years with West Ham, Di Canio played 118 league games and scored 48 goals. He has also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Celtic and a number of top Italian sides.
Bureau Report