West Ham legend Paolo Di Canio has opened up about his hard-line approach to players’ lifestyles which emerged during his controversial tenure at Sunderland.

Di Canio, who was sacked by the Black Cats board in September 2013, reportedly banned his players from using mobile phones and eating condiments like tomato ketchup and mayonnaise.

His attention to the smallest details in pre-match preparations divided opinion amongst his colleagues, but Di Canio explained to the Hawksbee and Jacobs Show why he stands by his values.

“If you have a car, a Ferrari, do you put sugar or salt in your engine? No you put petrol in – the right petrol,” said the Hammers icon.

“You need to start from the little things. I think a professional athlete at any level has to look after themselves.

“You have a specific diet in England and you can have a lot of ketchup and mayonnaise. I don’t think it’s a big sacrifice to help your stomach and liver to work better because it is your body system that helps you have less injuries, better performances in training sessions and to prepare yourself for the best match you can.”

Di Canio has been out of work since his departure from Wearside, but revealed he has rejected several offers to return to management because he is eyeing a role back in England.

He added: “I had the chance to move somewhere last year but I said no because I am still waiting for an English job.

“It’s about the right project in the right place. I will not accept any job, it is important that it is the right project.

“I am not being arrogant and saying I only want to manage in the Premier League. It must be the right place for me to work and bring my philosophy and methodology because that way we can win.”