Jamie Redknapp has questioned the wisdom behind Sunderland's decision to appoint Paolo Di Canio as manager.

The Italian was named as their new boss on Sunday after Martin O'Neill was sacked on Saturday evening.

Di Canio has carved out a reputation as a talented young manager after gaining promotion with Swindon Town from League Two in 2012, but Redknapp thinks that the former West Ham United man might be the wrong choice for the Black Cats.

"I'm not sure how long he will last at Sunderland, because he isn't a patient man," Redknapp wrote in his Daily Mail column.

"He could be hard work, an explosive eccentric. He will be hard to control, demanding of Sunderland's players and they will have to adapt to his strict fitness regime.

"The Swindon players he managed speak of his training; the excitement — and a little fear — of not knowing quite what he was going to do next."

Di Canio's first match in charge will be against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.