Fabrizio Piccareta exclusive: Following Di Canio from Swindon to Sunderland; Why Roma turned sour for Mourinho

When Italian coach Fabrizio Piccareta secured his UEFA B licence in 2001, it is unlikely he envisioned working as an assistant manager to Paolo Di Canio and Luigi Di Biaggio. But it is testament to him that he holds the trust legends of the game have had in his skills and expertise.

First to put faith in him was Di Canio when the Italian legend became the manager of Swindon Town. He appointed Piccareta to be his second-hand man. They would be promoted to League 1 in their first season together before financial issues saw Di Canio step down in February the following season.

Piccareta followed Di Canio to Premier LeagueSunderland in March with the job of avoiding relegation. They just about achieved survival but a dismal start to the following season saw Di Canio and Piccareta leave in September 2023. That would mark the end of what Picarreta describes as the most 'important' stage in his career.

After England, Piccareta's career took him far and wide in senior and youth football before he joined up with Di Biaggio at Albanian side Dinamo City, another experience from the Italian that had highs and lows.

In a fascinating interview with TribalFootball, Piccareta reveals what it was like working with Di Canio and Di Biaggio and much more.

You were the assistant manager to no other than the famous Paolo Di Canio at Swindon and then Premier LeagueSunderland for a short period. Can you tell me a bit about what it was like working with Di Canio?

"Working with him was a unique experience for me, and if you think I was the only one to work with him during his time as a coach. Because in his two only experiences as a coach, I was his assistant at Swindon and Sunderland.

"I worked with him for four years and they were beautiful years for