It's a new "era" for Sunderland after the sacking of Paolo Di Canio and this Sunday they host Liverpool in a game that we will be broadcasting live on Newstalk Sport.
But on the subject of Di Canio, John Giles did not need to make himself any clearer when speaking to Joe Molloy on Thursday Night Football on Newstalk's Off The Ball.
Giles described the controversial Italian as a "nightmare".
"I wouldn't be a fan. I don't like Di Canio at all. First of all when he came in, he turned me right off when he criticized Martin O'Neill's regime for the players not being fit enough. That's the biggest insult you can pay to any outgoing manager. It's dreadful because O'Neill couldn't defend himself," said Giles.
"He's a loudmouth and a show-off. He's talking about bringing discipline by banning tomato sauce. That's all nonsense. He could have done that on the quiet. But it's all about himself. He criticized the players, he criticized the performances - it was never him. I think he got what he deserved and Sunderland got what they deserved because the owner actually employed him."
Giles also pointed out an interesting paradox between Di Canio the player and Di Canio the manager. And Giles explained that players find it incredibly difficult to respect managers like the former West Ham and Lazio striker.
"There's a funny thing about people like Di Canio that I've seen over the years. The most undisciplined players going - and he was one of those - when they become manager, they turn into strict disciplinarians and it doesn't wash with the players. People like Di Canio are always prepared to take the credit but they're not prepared to take the blame. The players lose respect for somebody in that position. If you rant all the time, it's going to lose its effect."
Giles admitted he did not get on with his former manager at Leeds, Brian Clough, but pointed out that the European Cup-winning boss was nothing like Di Canio.
"I didn't get on with Brian Clough. He was a rude and arrogant guy. But he wasn't a headcase or behave like this guy (Di Canio) did."
Giles mentioned Martin O'Neill in passing when discussing Di Canio. But he also touched on the former Celtic boss in regard to the vacant Ireland job. Recent speculation has suggested that the FAI's interest has cooled particularly over the unavailability of his long-time assistant John Robertson. However Giles is of the belief that the exact opposite is true.
"I think Martin O'Neill is dictating the situation. I think O'Neill would be employed tomorrow if he was willing to take the job. The FAI have had to make the move that they have made to put other things in motion to see what will happen if Martin doesn't eventually take the job."
Listen to the full interview below where he also discusses Manchester United or also download the podcast on iTunes.
