Sunderland will be safe without kicking a ball if 18th-placed Wigan lose at Arsenal on Tuesday evening, but even if the Latics were to win, a point at Tottenham on the final day would keep them up because only one of the Latics and Aston Villa, who meet at the DW Stadium the same day, could overhaul them.
Di Canio: "To be honest, the players have done an amazing job because it was difficult.
"Even if you are a good manager with a good staff who tries to help psychologically during the week, when you work with some habits for eight months, it's difficult.
"Even if you try to believe in something more, it's difficult. But I have to tell you, they have done a fantastic job in my opinion.
"If we get one point, we are mathematically safe, so it's good to arrive at the last game and know if we draw or if we win, we stay up so it is in our hands.
"That is already a good signal.
"Next season, I don't want to see sad faces. It was difficult for the players to understand, but I told them the point was a really important point.
"I am sure next year when we have this lap with the players, we are going to see more happy faces and maybe celebrate something different."