It was an unlucky 13 for Paolo di Canio, who lasted just that many games before Sunderland's board sacked the Italian on Sunday night.
The first Premier League managerial departure of the season, the only surprise of Di Canio's reign is that he was appointed in the first place. Sunderland chairman Ellis Short has arguably emerged worse from the brief and fraught era for granting Di Canio a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Di Canio's Fascist past caused huge uproar when he was announced as Martin O'Neill's successor and having made drastic changes to the backroom and playing staff, he has "parted company" after just five Premier League games this season.
Di Canio won just three games with Sunderland
Thirteen (that number again) players were brought in during a summer of upheaval which was more chaotic than calm. Di Canio even said many of his players' lack of English was driving him "crazy".
"I need British players," said the then Sunderland boss. "I need the quality, the intensity. I need the fire."
Not one of Di Canio's 13 signings was British.
Di Canio at Sunderland
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Sunderland - St James' Park(01 of32)
*Alternate Crop* Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio slides on his knees as he celebrates his side's second goal of the game (credit:PA)
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Sunderland's Italian manager Paolo Di Canio celebrates his team's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle and Sunderland at St James' Park in Newcastle, northeast England, on April 14, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL “ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. ” (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United v Sunderland - Premier League(03 of32)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio celebrates the first Sunderland goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on April 14, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United v Sunderland - Premier League(04 of32)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio celebrates after the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on April 14, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United v Sunderland - Premier League(05 of32)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio celebrates after the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on April 14, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United v Sunderland - Premier League(06 of32)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio celebrates after the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on April 14, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United v Sunderland - Premier League(07 of32)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio (c) celebrates with the team after the third Sunderland goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on April 14, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Sunderland's Italian manager Paolo Di Canio celebrates his team's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle and Sunderland at St James' Park in Newcastle, northeast England, on April 14, 2013. Sunderland won the match 3-0. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Sunderland's Italian manager Paolo Di Canio (C) celebrates with his players after scoring the third goal during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle and Sunderland at St James' Park in Newcastle, northeast England, on April 14, 2013. Sunderland won the match 3-0. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL “ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. ” (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Everton - Premier League(10 of32)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Paolo Di Canio manager of Sunderland celebrates victory with the crowd after the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at the Stadium of Light on April 20, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Everton - Premier League(11 of32)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Paolo Di Canio manager of Sunderland celebrates victory with John O'Shea (16) after the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at the Stadium of Light on April 20, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Everton - Premier League(12 of32)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Paolo Di Canio manager of Sunderland celebrates victory after the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at the Stadium of Light on April 20, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Everton - Premier League(13 of32)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Paolo Di Canio manager of Sunderland celebrates victory after the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at the Stadium of Light on April 20, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Sunderland - Premier League(14 of32)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Paolo Di Canio the Sunderland manager talks to Lee Probert the match referee at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sunderland at Villa Park on April 29, 2013 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Sunderland - Premier League(15 of32)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Paolo Di Canio the Sunderland manager celebrates as his side score during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sunderland at Villa Park on April 29, 2013 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Sunderland - Premier League(16 of32)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Paolo Di Canio the Sunderland manager celebrates as his side score during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sunderland at Villa Park on April 29, 2013 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Sunderland's manager, Paolo Di Canio reacts during an English FA Premier League football match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, on May 6, 2013. AFP PHOTO/GRAHAM STUART RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read GRAHAM STUART/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Stoke City - Premier League(18 of32)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Manager Paolo Di Canio of Sunderland shouts instructions during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Stoke City at the Stadium of Light on May 06, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Stoke City - Premier League(19 of32)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Manager Paolo Di Canio of Sunderland gives instructions during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Stoke City at the Stadium of Light on May 06, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Southampton - Premier League(20 of32)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Paolo Di Canio manager of Sunderland celebrates after Phillip Bardsley scored a goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Southampton at the Stadium of Light on May 12, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Southampton - Premier League(21 of32)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Paolo Di Canio manager of Sunderland celebrates after Phillip Bardsley scored a goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Southampton at the Stadium of Light on May 12, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Sunderland's Italian manager Paolo Di Canio (L) and Tottenham Hotspur's Portugese manager Andre Villas-Boas gesture during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane in north London on May 19, 2013. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Fulham - Premier League(23 of32)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Paolo Di Canio, manager of Sunderland looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Fulham at the Stadium of Light on August 17, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Sunderland's Italian manager Paolo Di Canio reacts during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Fulham at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, northeast England, on August 17, 2013. AFP PHOTO/LINDSEY PARNABY == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. == (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-SUNDERLAND-FULHAM(25 of32)
Sunderland's Italian manager Paolo Di Canio reacts during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Fulham at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, northeast England, on August 17, 2013. Fulham won 1-0. AFP PHOTO/LINDSEY PARNABY == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. == (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Fulham - Premier League(26 of32)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio looks dejected during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Fulham at the Stadium of Light on August 17, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CRYSTAL PALACE-SUNDERLAND(27 of32)
Sunderland's Italian manager Paolo Di Canio gestures to the Sunderland fans after the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Sunderland at Selhurst Park in south London on August 31, 2013. Crystal Palace won the game 3-1. AFP PHOTO/IAN KINGTON == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Southampton v Sunderland - Premier League(28 of32)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Paolo Di Canio the Sunderland manager reacts to events on the pitch during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on August 24, 2013 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Arsenal - Premier League(29 of32)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Referee Martin Atkinson speaks to Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on September 14, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Arsenal - Premier League(30 of32)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio reacts to fourth official Kevin Friend during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on September 14, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland - Premier League(31 of32)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Paolo Di Canio, manager of Sunderland gestures at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland at The Hawthorns on September 21, 2013 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland - Premier League(32 of32)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Paolo Di Canio, manager of Sunderland gestures at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland at The Hawthorns on September 21, 2013 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
He won just three matches on Wearside, two of them in the league. Victories at Newcastle and against Everton in April saved the Black Cats from relegation but their only triumph this term is a League Cup win over MK Dons.
It seemed Di Canio's curtain call came when he confronted Sunderland fans at the end of their gutless loss at West Brom on Saturday. He stared and gesticulated at Mackems in a woeful attempt at player-manager communication.
"I won't change," he vowed after the game, and that perhaps convinced Short to sack a third Sunderland manager in less than two years.