Last night saw Paulo Di Canio resign from his managerial post at Swindon Town football club. He brought to the club a new mentality, and has improved the players since taking over the club in May 2011. When Paulo took over the club, they were in a tough situation; they were in a difficult position financially and had just been relegated to the fourth tier of English football (Npower League Two). But he was determined to gain promotion back into League One and possibly to the Championship the season next.

Di Canio’s side triumphed in League Two, winning the league in the process.  Di Canio’s men were playing attacking, attractive football and for League Two, the quality that the players were producing was top quality. This season, the Italian started the season well, knocking out championship side Brighton and Hove Albion of the league cup comprehensively 3-0.  It got better for the league one side when they knocked out Premier League Stoke City in the same competition. The team have been flirting with the top of the Npower League One table most of the campaign, and currently sit sixth position, 3 points off the top.    

There have been famous spats between Di Canio and some of his players in the Italians 22 month reign. In 2011 (7 games into his managerial career at the County Ground), he had a confrontation with striker Leon Clarke in the tunnel after tasting defeat to Southampton in the League cup. This season, he had an argument with young Goalkeeper Les Foderingham after substituting the shot stopper after 20 minutes for an error that led to the opposition scoring.

Di Canio leaves the promotion Contenders with a decent record. He won 54 of his 95 games in charge of Swindon which leaves him with a win percentage of 56%.