The 44-year-old Roman has always had a flair for the dramatic, so there have been knowing glances all round since he succeeded in bringing his first managerial job to an end on his own terms. One of the few admirers of Italian fascism to receive a Fifa fair play award, Di Canio has always been a polarising figure, his backstory strewn with contradictions and conundrums, and, as usual, his departure from Swindon Town leaves room for interpretation. While the Italian's tifosi – many of whom are among rank-and-file supporters – make him a martyr for taking a stance against a club which they feel is being mismanaged, others with longer memories feel it is part of the same pattern of self-promotion and capriciousness which characterised his playing career.