Italy legend Franco Baresi is backing Paolo di Canio for success with Sunderland.
Baresi, who will play alongside his former AC Milan team-mate once again on Wednesday night when they join forces at St James' Park for Steve Harper's charity game, is confident Di Canio has the mental strength to turn things around.
Baresi told The Journal: "When I was playing, I never thought that he could become a manager. But now it is easier to see why it has worked.
"He has shown that he has a strong character, with passion. His objective was never to coach in Italy - it was always to come back to England.
"I think that Paolo now has a good chance to be a really big success and I don't think he will want to miss it. He will do his best to show that he can do it.
"When I played with Paolo Di Canio at AC Milan, I felt he was really talented and a very good player.
"But he only played with us for a short period. He was a strong and very talented player."
