Paolo di Canio insists he had little say on Sunderland's summer signing spree.
Sunderland made 14 summer signings under Di Canio, but he insists director of football Roberto De Fanti and chief scout Valentino Angeloni were responsible for all transfer business - claiming he wanted more British players.
He said: "I think 80 per cent of the squad should be British footballers. I don't know why more didn't come, you would have to ask Roberto and Valentino.
"They were given power by the chairman. I gave them my opinion, and I gave them names, but not one came and I don't know why. The players that did come, I accepted, but they weren't my first choices."
