The autobiography of the outrageously talented Italian striker, worshipped by West Ham fans and a footballer who has won the hearts of supporters wherever he has played – this despite his infamous tantrums and volatile behaviour on the pitch.

Paolo Di Canio is a player who doesn’t recognise the footballer’s code of conduct: he says what he thinks and heaven help the person who has crossed him.

That’s the root of his troubles as well, of course. Born into a working-class family in Rome, he displays the archetypal Latin temperament, which has seen him get into more trouble with referees than can be good for his health. But is there more to him than a one-man inner-city riot?

In his autobiography, Di Canio relives his colourful career with a host of clubs, from the likes of Milan, Napoli and Juventus in Italy to Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday and, most recently, West Ham. He describes vividly his Latin roots, the young Italians’ pastime of chasing the girls, and the ups and downs of his early football career.

He also provides his own version of the shove on referee Paul Alcock, his anger at his club, Sheffield Wednesday, and the feelings of betrayal and isolation following his four-month ban from the game. He reveals the real reasons behind his retreat into exile in Italy before his career was rescued from oblivion by Harry Redknapp and West Ham.

So what does the future hold for the Hammers’ ticking timebomb? You can find out about this and much more in Paolo Di Canio’s explosive career story.