Former Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has denied reports of a bust-up with his players and believes he deserved more time in charge of the Premier League strugglers, the Italian said in a statement on Tuesday.
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Di Canio was sacked last month following Sunderland's 3-0 defeat by West Bromwich Albion, amid reports his players had said they would no longer play for him.
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He left the club bottom of the Premier League with one point from five matches, having only won three of 13 games since replacing Martin O'Neill in March.
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Media reports spoke of a player revolt at his abrasive management style and his public criticism of them, with issues allegedly coming to a head in a training- ground bust-up.
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British newspapers said players, led by former captain Lee Cattermole, went to club owner Ellis Short to demand Di Canio's dismissal after an angry showdown with the controversial manager, after which he was sacked by telephone. "There has been a lot written in the media in recent days, much of it wholly untrue," the 45-year-old said in a statement released to Sky Sports.