With West Ham United inching ever closer to signing Wes Foderingham on a free transfer, the fans will be interested to see what club legend Paolo Di Canio said about the goalkeeper 12 years ago.
Wes Foderingham played under Paolo Di Canio more than a decade ago now, during a spell with Swindon Town.
The former West Ham striker’s managerial career was a short-lived one, due to his overly passionate and emotional approach.
Di Canio still watches out for the Hammers closely, and was one of the chief protestors against our move away from Upton Park back in 2016.
The Italian was a huge fan favourite at West Ham, so when he talks, the fans listen, in spite of some of his crazy takes on the game in the past.
From pushing over referee Paul Alcock during Sheffield Wednesday vs Arsenal clash in 1998 to slapping Simeone Inzaghi around the face and suggesting that the Inter Milan boss ‘had a brain the size of a peanut’, Di Canio’s footballing career has been an entertaining one to say the least.
You couldn’t get more of a contrast to the career of Foderingham – a player who the Hammers are said to be close to signing on a free.
The West Ham fans aren’t sold on the signing of the 33-year-old, but I actually think he’ll provide great cover as our first-choice goalkeeper.
He’s a decent goalkeeper who will help us fulfil our homegrown player quota.
That said, I would love to get Di Canio’s take on the signing of the former Sheffield United stopper…
Video of Paolo Di Canio ripping into Wes Foderingham
Back in 2012 whilst in charge of Swindon Town, Di Canio decided to take Foderingham off after just 21 minutes of their clash with Preston North End – a game they eventually lost 4-0.
The Italian was asked by reporters to explain his decision after the match, and he responded in typical Paolo style.
Di Canio said, “Nothing wrong to change a goalkeeper. We’re not talking about Cech, we’re talking about Wes – 20-year-old. Last year he didn’t play one second of professional football. If he is not happy, we are fuming, absolutely fuming. If he doesn’t say sorry to everybody, he is out. And it has to come from his heart. League One Wes – 20-year-old, are we crazy?”
In fairness to Paolo, he’s absolutely spot on here. Too many young players these days think they’ve made it before they’ve even played 20 games.
Wes Foderingham was 20 at the time, and he should have had far more respect for his manager, especially considering the level that Paolo Di Canio played at.
The goalkeeper has obviously matured beyond belief since that day back in 2012, but I’d still love to hear Paolo’s take on the Hammers potentially signing him!
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