Even though Vito Mannone arrived in England in 2005, when he joined Arsenal, the goalkeeper had to wait until 2013 to become a regular.
That came when he left the Gunners for Sunderland, due to a lack of opportunities at the Emirates.
Paolo Di Canio was the Black Cats’ manager, and in his only transfer window at the Stadium of Light the 51-year-old signed his compatriot.
Calciomercato had an opportunity to interview the goalkeeper, and he discussed various topics, including the tough training regime he had to endure under Di Canio’s guidance.
“It was the toughest pre-season of my career. Wake up at 6, three workouts a day and we only had to eat what he told us,” the 31-year-old said.
“He made do the ‘ritiro’ in a horrible place near Lake Garda. I told my teammates that’s not how Italy is.”
Di Canio managed only five games in the 2013/14 season and was shown the exit door and replaced by Gus Poyet. That season, Sunderland went on to beat the Chelsea and Manchester United to make it to the EFL Cup final, which they lost Manchester City.
Mannone was the star for Sunderland against the Red Devils in the two-legged semi-final clash and talking about it he said: “It was one of the most beautiful games of my career. I saved those penalties in the goal where Dida had won the Champions League.”
