'Don't do it like Di Canio!' says ex-Sunderland boss to Chelsea-bound Antonio Conte

Italy head coach Conte is expected to take the reins at Stamford Bridge after the European Championships, with Guus Hiddink only in charge on a temporary basis following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho.

But former Sunderland manager Di Canio has offered some words of advice to his fellow Italian about life in English football.

Di Canio was sacked by Sunderland in September 2014 after his bizarre regime prompted a dressing room revolt and he still hasn't returned to the dug-out, despite applying for several Football League jobs.

And Di Canio seems to have grasped that his man-management skills left a lot to be desired at Sunderland after being asked about Conte's imminent arrival.

Di Canio said: "I say be careful, try to learn the English mentality straight away. Sometimes words put into a sentence come out differently.

"Sometimes you can have the stamp of the donkey because you say something you didn't intend.

"So try to learn (the language) and put next to you a good guy, an English guy, with good experience that can help you.

"It's important to have a member of the club who understands everything of English football.

"Not only in the way you deliver your methodology or your tactics, but also in the way you need to deliver the words at the end of the game, before the game, the message during the week.

"Don't do it like Di Canio!"

Di Canio has spoken with Conte in recent months, with the ex-Italy midfielder boasting an impressive CV after leading Juventus to three Serie A titles.

"I have spoken to him, not about Chelsea, but about English football. We had a chat about it, but not about Chelsea - two months ago," Di Canio told Sky Sports after featuring in the testimonial for West Ham midfielder Mark Noble last weekend.

"He is a good guy and a good coach. He is a manager with the right mentality and work ethic and can help Chelsea change their direction."