Peter Reid: “If you’re going to be a success in management, you’ve got to carry your squad with you and I think Paolo as a character was always going to struggle to do that.
“You saw that with how he handled some of the problems he had.
“Players are always going to mess up but if you can tear a strip off them privately but give them another chance, the loyalty you can get from them can be something special and that carries the group forward.
“I think you’ve seen that from Gus in the way he has brought back Phil Bardsley, who seems very important to team spirit, and he has been rewarded with some really important contributions from him.
“I’m pleased for Gus, I liked him as a player, and I’ve managed against him as a manager and I’ve always been impressed by how smart he is football-wise and how quick he is to learn.
“One of the great things about him is that he is willing to change tack and that’s vital for any manager – the ability to try something and stick with it if it works but not be afraid to change it if it doesn’t.
“You have to be ready to accept knocks and setbacks, especially where Sunderland are at the moment.
“And Gus will know that.
“It’s all about how you bounce back and I’m sure they will for what will be a great cup final day.”