Martin O'Neill disputes Paolo Di Canio claims

By Michael Penkman, Reporter | 16 November 2013

Martin O'Neill says that Paolo Di Canio is off the mark with claims that he spent £40m as manager of Sunderland, while adding that it was a player he signed - Steven Fletcher - that kept the team up.

Martin O'Neill has responded to Paolo Di Canio by insisting that it was a player he signed that helped Sunderland survive in the Premier League last season.

The pair have engaged in a war of words of late, with the Republic of Ireland boss throwing the first shot by calling the Italian a "managerial charlatan".

Di Canio, who succeeded the 61-year-old at the Stadium of Light in March, hit back by claiming that his predecessor spent "£40m to be a top 10 club and then sees the club sink into the relegation zone".

However, O'Neill has disputed that figure, although he did state that it was his £15m purchase of Steven Fletcher that ultimately saved the Black Cats.

"At the end of the day, it's hardly worth it," O'Neill told reporters following Ireland's 3-0 win over Latvia.

"You would have to go and check, but I don't think Sunderland would concur with his £40m for a start. Even Sunderland wouldn't do that.

"Seriously, one of those people he's talking about (Steven Fletcher) actually, his goals helped Sunderland stay in the league, and [Simon] Mignolet, they got £10m for."

Fletcher scored 11 goals in 28 games last season.