Former Sunderland football chief Roberto De Fanti has explained the appointment of Paolo di Canio.
De Fanti admits he recommended Di Canio to owner Ellis Short.
The 41-year-old told the Evening Chronicle: "We were on a bad run and Ellis asked me to suggest a manager who could provide an electric shock at short notice.
"Paolo did a great job at Swindon (Town) and I thought there was no one better than him to bring an electric shock. It worked.
"I think Paolo has incredible charisma and personality. Sometimes things don't click between the managers and the players, it's normal, it happens.
"Myself and Valentino, we suggested to Ellis in the summer (2013) that Paolo, although he had done a great job, was not the right person to build a team from scratch.
"We suggested a few other names, among them was Gus. Fortunately our call was heard by Ellis later on."
