Soccer

Sunderland turns to Di Canio as savior

Sunderland entrusted flamboyant Italian Paolo Di Canio with the task of securing its Premier League survival when it named him as head coach in place of the sacked Martin O'Neill on Sunday. Di Canio, who enjoyed a colorful playing career with clubs including Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio, West Ham United and Celtic, has never managed in the top flight and joins 16th-place Sunderland six weeks after quitting third-tier Swindon Town.