SWINDON manager Paolo Di Canio has thanked the club’s fans for their kindness and compassion following the death of his mother, and insisted the warmth he has received this week will be a factor in his decision over whether to stay at the County Ground for the long-term.

The Italian’s mother, Pierina, died last Friday night on the eve of Town’s clash with Plymouth, but he took his place on the touchline before returning to Italy immediately after the final whistle to be with his family.

The funeral was held on Monday, but Di Canio returned to Swindon on Tuesday morning to travel with the team to Aldershot.

A minute’s silence was held at the EBB Stadium in her memory, and Di Canio is grateful for the way the Town fans have helped him through a tough time.

“I would like to say a big thank you to not only the fans, but to the people of Swindon too because the love and affection I have felt over the last few days has been very special,” he said.

“I have received a lot of letters and flowers which is very kind, and I met a woman, probably 65 years old, while I was shopping in Old Town to buy some food and she was very kind to me.

“For me that is very important, so I would like to thank all the people that showed me love and affection, and I have to tell you this will count for the future in the way I will to decide to stay.

“I am positive in this, not because there is something that is more important, but as a manager I have to think if everything is OK.

“I will make my decision once we are mathematically up, because I do not deserve to have a contract if we do not go up.

“I knew already the people of Swindon are amazing, but I want to say thanks because I felt this affection in my mother’s name.

Despite having been at the club less than a year, Di Canio already feels attached to the community and the club’s board are keen to extend his two-year deal in the summer.

“When you connect with a community in this manner it is difficult to split the two situations, personal and professional life,” he said.

“To see all the Swindon Town scarves at Aldershot was fantastic, and the only two colours in the sky were red and white.

“I am sentimental, I like this because it made me feel like a fan because I used to be on the terrace with the Lazio fans with my scarf up.

“I hope we can win on Saturday and celebrate and see everyone with their scarves as that would be an amazing moment. That would stay with me for the rest of my life.”