• Premier League

Sunderland need to move on from Di Canio - Poyet

ESPN staff
October 8, 2013
Struggling Sunderland appoint new manager


New Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has expressed a desire not to be compared to his predecessor Paolo di Canio.

The club confirmed the appointment of Poyet on Monday, with the Uruguayan signing a two-year contract at the Stadium of Light two weeks after the sacking of Di Canio.

Sunderland currently sit bottom of the Premier League with one point from seven games, but Poyet is adamant everyone connected with the club will need to move past the Italian's controversial reign if they are to remain a top-flight team.

"The time of Paolo has come to an end and it is time to move forward," Poyet said. "We are all different and I don't think it is right to compare people.

"I know a lot about the players at Sunderland, and I know for them it is going to be even more difficult now with another new manager. I have to make sure they are comfortable here and we will make sure they are ready and without excuses."

Sunderland are the only club without a Premier League win so far this season, but recently impressed in their performances against Liverpool and Manchester United under caretaker boss Kevin Ball.

Poyet believes that, even on his first day in charge, his players have shown a willingness to change the club's fortunes around.

"When you're at the bottom in the situation that we are, everyone will say it's going to be difficult," Poyet said. "The idea here is to believe and to be convinced. From what I see, I do believe that we can get safe.

"I need to convince the players and everybody. I need to make sure that players, staff, fans and directors believe in this opportunity that starts today. I'm going to play my part. I need to make sure everybody commits to the cause.

"You can see that they [the players] want to show everything the first day. Everybody wanted to train - even the ones that I wasn't expecting to. I just asked them to pay attention. The next two or three weeks, there's going to be plenty of information both ways.

"I need them to be really aware and to try to understand, to ask questions and to be involved. That will make it quicker. The longer it takes, the more difficult it is going to be. Most of the work now will be mental. It's about getting the right information."

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