by Staff Writer
Thursday, 3rd April 2025
Hammers legend Paolo Di Canio still hasn't ruled out a return to management, according to a recent interview.
The former Italian forward enjoyed a thoroughly-productive playing career which featured spells at clubs such as Juventus, Celtic and, of course, West Ham United.
However his management career has left rather more to be desired thus far, with stints at Swindon (2-11-2013) and Sunderland (2013) both ending in disappointing fashion.
Yet with a decade having passed since he last took the managerial reigns, Di Canio still hasn't given up on his chances of proving a success in the dugout.
Speaking in an interview with FootItalia, West Ham's former number 10 said: "It’s obviously difficult to go back into the dugout after television, and I’m a realistic guy. Even if I look 45 and try to keep fit, it’s not easy.
"I like to coach on the field. I had the chance in the last few years but for a different label. I didn’t accept it. In my opinion I wasn’t in the right environment to accept it because I didn’t want to go only in the Premier League, but the Championship.
"I’m a winner. I want to compete to win. It didn’t happen in the clubs (I managed) so I decided to keep going with television. Never say never. I still keep fit, myself. Maybe one day. I’m ready any time."
Meanwhile Di Canio also revealed how much he would've enjoyed playing with the club's current skipper, Jarrod Bowen, and the likes of Mo Kudus and Lucas Paqueta. "It would've been good if I had a chance to have the energy now," he said.
"It would be easier for me because I was in a sort of orchestrator upfront, I was more of an assist man than goalscorer. I can imagine Bowen and Kudos now playing with Paqueta and the one-twos, that combination with me would be fantastic with our creativity and imagination.”
Yet he revealed his biggest regret for his time at West Ham was never having been granted the opportunity to feature in the east London derby - against the old foe, Millwall.
"That would've been fantastic because obviously there are few that are more spicy than others," he insisted. "We know that the Millwall one is the best that you can have.
"Talking about the feeling, the atmosphere, the history. Unfortunately, I couldn't play. But a few years after I left West Ham the draw happened. Zola was on the bench, he’s my friend.
"I was thinking how much I would like to be there as a footballer because you know that you can do something special, even if it is only for one match. But that match means a lot. That's remembered forever for the supporters. But unfortunately I didn't play in this derby."
* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.