This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By appointing Paolo Di Canio, Jeremy Wray and the Swindon board knew the media would be very interested in this controversial figure. Since Friday, Swindon and Di Canio have been a worldwide talking point and trending on twitter. Contrast this with the appointment of Maurice Malpas when one man and his dog turned up to the County Ground for his presentation.

Here’s a summary and links to some of the foreign media and discussions I’ve found so far:

Paolo Di Canio gives Swindon exposure on FIFA.com, albeit a photograph a short sentence sandwiched between photos of the president of the Woman’s World Cup organising committee and a grinning Barcelona fan, we’ve gone up in the world…

CoupFranc.fr – An interesting French blog. The article suggests the board wanted the press interest of securing Di Canio’s services at the expense of club morals, with some bizarre quotations from Town supporters about Fascism included for good measure.

Italian site News Il Mattino di Napoli say Swindon supporters are in revolt about the decision, taking the withdrawal of the GMB Union as a sponsor (a very minor one if that) as a sign of widespread anger at the appointment. The reader comments are an interesting read…

Swedish blog Behind the Wall feels Swindon will be the right place for Di Canio to make his first forray into management and praises the club for the appointment due to the media exposure we will get.

Blitzquotidiano in Italy reports Swindon fans can expect “spectacular football, sure to convey enthusiasm and energy, even in the fourth division of England”.

Norwegian Swindon Town Blog Heia Swindon has published two articles following Di Canio’s appointment. The first reflecting on Di Canio’s past and expectations that he can be the focal person under which we can revitalise the club. Also proving the board got it right wanting exposure with the story in the Norwegian papers. The second piece summarising the press conference and getting it right when saying “little did I know I would be so positive at the end of May after a relegation to League Two”.

SoFoot.com were surprised West Ham failed to unveil Di Canio, briefly comment on Paolo’s chequered past and aptly sign off their article with the line “Who knows what he (Di Canio) will teach his players..”

Czech site Nova Sport sums up Di Canio as a “bad man notorious risen right”… whatever that means…

A comment on Inthebox.Gazzetta.It  nicely describes our new gaffer; “As (for) Di Canio, remain calm is a skill that absolutely must have a coach. I do not think its best feature, to say the least.”

And finally, Shaker on the Australian Sportal forum sees Swindon fans as not the most forgiving and expects the fans to get on his back if it goes pear-shaped early.

As @geof_wong put it on Twitter “any PR is good PR for the club…”. You can’t disagree with that!

As for my thoughts on the Di Canio appointment you can read them here > Paolo Di Canio’s Red & White Army