Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio insists his players do not fear him.

Di Canio says his fiery personality does not make his players quake in their boots.

The Italian said: "The players cannot fear the manager. It's not possible. I don't kill ­people, I let them train.

"No, they are not worried. Obviously, they don't love me, and I told them they don't need to love me, they have to follow me and then they're going to be OK.

"Sometimes we have a fight and ­sometimes they drive me crazy, and then I'm going to get angry, but, to be honest, it is more like a family, with respect.

"Sometimes the son or the daughter goes away from the right road and I pull them back."