Sunderland 'dignity' pleases Di Canio

Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has threatened to get rid of players who have stepped out of line at the club.

Di Canio recently fined seven players for breaches of discipline and called some behaviour "pathetic".

"These players will not be here next year - not under me," said the Italian, without naming specific squad members.

He added: "The owner and I are going to sit at the table and go through but he knows many things.

"This is what he told me before: 'Relax, don't worry because we are going to change many things', so it sounds like he supports me completely. We will see in the future."

quote We have to make sure we bring in not only good players, but with a good professionalism that can give satisfaction to everyone Paolo Di Canio

Di Canio was particularly angered by Bardsley and Kilgallon's behaviour in midweek as he vented his anger following their final-day defeat.

"It was disgusting. These people can't train with me," the former Swindon Town manager said.

"We were talking about strict rules. I discovered the day after that these people spent nearly all night out in the way you saw.

"I know someone can make a mistake - I did in the past, maybe not in that way. But every time we win, or we are happy, are we going to behave like this? It is ridiculous and pathetic.

"How can I play a player that probably is blurry for three, four days after what's happened?

"I thought that at Swindon... [there were] arrogant, ignorant footballers because they've not had many chances to stay at the top level.

"I have to tell you unfortunately I found a worse environment in terms of discipline in this club."

Di Canio went on to reveal an unnamed player did not show up for training during the week because of food poisoning, something which further incensed the charismatic Italian.

"Some player that couldn't be involved in my squad today for a different reason decided 'I don't train today'", he said.

"They make that diagnosis. The doctor tried to contact him. His phone was switched off for three hours. This is the situation at Sunderland."

Gareth Bale's 90th-minute winner for Tottenham at White Hart Lane left Sunderland in a final Premier League position of 17th: one place and three points above the relegation zone.

Di Canio's record at Sunderland Played: 7

Won: 2

Drawn: 2

Lost: 3

And Di Canio, who has won two of his seven matches as Sunderland boss since succeeding Martin O'Neill in March, believes improvements in his playing personnel are needed this summer.

He added: "Obviously if we want to have a different future in terms of results we need to bring in good players but with a professional ethic.

"Be a real professional, not a good footballer that performs 40 or 50% of the potential they have got because they got blurry or because they go out.

"We have to make sure we are going to bring in not only good players, but with a good professionalism that can give satisfaction to everyone."

The Black Cats boss also said his players would be required to attend a sponsor's event in Sunderland on Monday night before being allowed to go on leave.