Hammers legend Di Canio wants to continue his love affair with the club

So far it seems that the Italian has failed to make the Hammers short-list of names to replace recently departed manager Alan Curbishley.

But the 40-year-old, who was hero worshipped at Upton Park during his four-year playing career there from 1999, claims he is not only qualified to take up the role and possess the leadership qualities to succeed, but is also still deeply in love with the Irons.

“West Ham is a unique club and history means something, Di Canio told the Sun.

“ The fact we’ve had so few managers and the fact the vast majority were former players is important.

“For me the shirt still feels like a second skin and I’ve followed West Ham as a fan ever since I left.

“I saw them play twice last season and know some of the players personally. Lee Bowyer, Scottie Parker and Valon Behrami were team-mates of mine. Mark Noble was a kid when I was there but you could already tell he would go on to great things.

“I’m sorry for Alan Curbishley. He was my boss at Charlton and he’s a good man and a good manager.

“I wish him all the best and am confident he’ll land a new job very soon. But that’s football — people come and go and you don’t always know what exactly went on.

“When I was a player, I never thought I’d be interested in management. I thought that when I retired I’d look after my other interests — fine wines, my clothes shops.

“But then the idea of studying and living the game from the outside, thinking not just about improving your own performance but that of the squad as a whole, really grabbed me.

“I didn’t think I had it in me but, instead, I found that I thrived in all the aspects like planning training sessions, working with individual players and giving teams a tactical identity.

“West Ham have the tradition of appointing people who have a history with the club. In the modern era you have to be open to new ideas and new ways of doing things.

“That may mean appointing an outsider who has no West Ham link.

“That makes sense if you can get a truly great manager, a Jose Mourinho, a Carlo Ancelotti.

“But if you can’t get someone like that, I would think twice before breaking with our traditions. I would lean towards someone who knows and understands this club, its history and its supporters.

“Someone who can light up the hearts and minds of the players and the fans.”

And despite his controversial past, the fiery Italian also claims that shouldn't rule him from becoming a respected manager.

He continued: “When you grow older, if you’re intelligent, you learn your role and adjust.

“Look at Roy Keane. As a player, people talked about the red mist descending, they said he could channel it on the pitch but that he was simply too intense to be a manager.

“Well, look at him now. He has embraced his job and his responsibility. He’s doing a great job at Sunderland and you can see he is calm and controlled during and after games. Why? Because he’s an intelligent guy who has grown into a different role. I like to think it can be the same with me.

“You need a strong and decisive dialogue between manager and players.

“Sometimes it can spill over and sometimes you’ll have rows. But it has to always be within the respect of the roles.

“I had that with Harry Redknapp for example. And I had it with Curbishley. We had our rows but he helped me grow and, I think, we enjoyed a bit of success together.

“The fact of the matter is that the manager has to be in control, he can’t allow a player to step over the mark.

“I’ve worn the captain’s armband at Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham, Charlton, Lazio and Cisco Roma.

“That wouldn’t have happened if the managers didn’t see some leadership quality in me.”

And Di Canio believes there is enough quality in the playing staff at Upton Park, to give whoever takes over as manager a chance of success.

He continued: “With the players West Ham have right now, if everyone is healthy and working together, a top-eight finish is the minimum result you would expect.

“As for passion, well, I don’t think anyone doubts my passion. But the fact is that passion alone won’t get you anywhere. You need to channel your passion into discipline.

“And that means working hard, respecting your team-mates, your manager and your role on the pitch. If you can combine passion and discipline you can achieve great things.

“Players will work harder for each other, they will better execute what the manager tells them, they will get the most out of the supporters.

“Of course, as a professional, I’m going to consider every offer. But the fact that I’ve been linked to the West Ham job is a huge source of pride for me.

“Look at the core of the side. Look at Lucas Neill, Scott Parker, Dean Ashton and Robert Green, who is an outstanding goalkeeper.

“These guys are not just good players, they are leaders. They all understand what it means to play for West Ham, to put on that shirt. Just like I do.”