Former Sunderland football chief Roberto De Fanti has defended his time with the club.
De Fanti worked with Paolo di Canio on Wearside and revealed the ones that got away.
The 41-year-old told the Evening Chronicle: "When I came in the situation was a disaster. We only had 12 or 13 players under contract (who) Paolo considered at Premier League level, nine would be out of contract in one year and we had to rebuild a team. No players were emerging from the academy.
"We tried to get (Tom) Huddlestone, he went to Hull (City). We wanted (James) McCarthy, but he decided to go to Everton. We tried to get (Callum) McManaman but he stayed at Wigan (Athletic).
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