Bradford game, that goal, crying when we went down and the catch; the best of Paolo Di Canio.
The name is immortal. Status guaranteed as one of the greats at the club, Paolo Di Canio was inspirational, talismanic and unbelievably talented. He was my original Hammers hero, the first player who I owned a shirt that had a name on the back. Paolo was the pin up man, not just because of his many talents, but because he was as loyal a West Ham player that you could ever find. I wanted to find the best five Paolo moments, not particularly as a hammer, but just the brilliant moments that we have seen from Paolo over his entire career.
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5) Managerial career at Swindon Town
To our surprise, last year Paolo was interested in becoming a manager in the English leagues after becoming a fully qualified coach. From the moment this news was released, the obvious headline was ‘Could Paolo be in for a Hammers return, as manager?’ The news was then followed by the appointment of Sam Allardyce, who was the favorite to replace Avram Grant. Paolo didn’t give up hope of a managerial career; he took over at recently relegated Swindon Town. He was an instant hit as last year he took Swindon back up in his first attempt and his side are looking to try and mount League One this year, but his journey hasn’t been without its controversies.
Paolo, had a bust up with a newly signed striker just a few games into the season after the striker showed petulance on the pitch. The Italian then was making headlines by his celebrations of goals, notably running the entire length of the pitch in the 91st minute as Swindon scored and many touchline bans have followed him on. This season hasn’t been without controversy as well, having taken off his goalkeeper just 20 minutes into a game after making a mistake that led to a goal. The reaction from Wes Fotheringham has made the clip a youtube sensation.
The hilarity followed on with Paolo blasting his keeper in a press conference. The genius of the man, controversial will go on and I see big things for Paolo one day, maybe a return to the club?
4) The catch
Di Canio was well known for his remarkable pitch behavior, whether it is the talent or the utter madness. Picking up a ban for 11 games for pushing over a referee is fresh in the memory. Though he showed his good sportsmanship and humility when in a game at Goodison Park, during a West Ham attack the Everton goalkeeper picked up an injury well away from his goal leaving Paolo with the ball arriving in the air towards him and all he needed to do was to control and pass the ball into an empty net. Instead he caught the ball in mid air, as if to say ‘No, this isn’t right had the keeper not injured himself, the chance would have never came about’.
Paolo received a standing ovation from the home crowd and it was labeled as one of the best moments of sporting behavior in Premier League history. In an age of diving and footballers taking any advantage possible, this act is refreshing and shows that there are decent guys out there.
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3) Relegation
Paolo had endured an injury hit season in his last season with West Ham United, this was the season that ended the clubs stay in the Premier League and Paolo would move on to Charlton Athletic.
They say nowadays that footballers don’t care what happens at the end of the season, they are going to leave if they go down and they will just be happy to take their pay cheques each week. This wasn’t Paolo; I can vividly remember Paolo crying in an interview as the club went down on the last day. Deeply affected by what had happened he would not answer any question about his future, only ones about the game about to every question he replied, I just am sorry for the fans. This day isn’t about myself; it’s about the fans.
2) West Ham vs Bradford
One of the greatest games in the Barclays Premier League was fought between West Ham United and Bradford at Upton Park as the sides played out a dramatic 4-3 victory for the Hammers.
A game that had everything, injured goalkeepers, lots of goals, arguments. Never a dull moment. Paolo was at his elegant and remarkable best, having been the catalyst to turning the game around as West Ham took the lead, lost the lead and then went on to lead a fight back, with Frank Lampard in tow. Paolo was brilliant in one of the best games that Upton Park has even seen, doing absolutely everything to win his team the game.
Having nearly forced Harry Redknapp to take him off after he wasn’t given a series of fouls on him in the box to hilarious acting on the pitch from Paolo. Though the most memorable moment was when West Ham United was awarded a penalty and Paolo was adamant to take the penalty pushing the ball away from Frank Lampard. Just another day in the life of Paolo Di Canio.
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1) That Goal
You couldn’t compile a best of Paolo without it, arguably the greatest ever goal scored at Upton Park or even in the Premier League. How Wayne Rooney’s acrobatic strike against Manchester City of the best goal scored in the Premier League can beat Paolo’s goal in that game against Wimbledon is absurd.
The ball was crossed in from the right and like a bird he rose, in a fluid and elegant motion, whilst airborne a magnificent scissor kick flew into the goal leaving the keeper absolutely no chance. It was absolute perfection, the technique, the grace and power behind the shot. West Ham fans will always remember it and it will be the greatest example of his brilliance. If ever there was a goal to sum up Paolo Di Canio that would be the goal to express his genius.
