Black Cats boss blames forward for his exit.
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Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has claimed that Stephane Sessegnon left the club over the summer because he no longer wanted to be there, the Daily Star reports.
The Benin international left the Black Cats on transfer deadline day in a deal worth around £6m and will line up against his former teammates for West Bromwich Albion as Sunderland head to the Hawthornes this weekend.
Many believe he was forced out of the Stadium of Light when he was pulled over and questioned by police in Newcastle city centre on suspicion of drink-driving while his team-mates were locked in battle with MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.
“Exactly the same time that we conceded a goal, my player was out somewhere else,” said Di Canio. “That means you don’t care about the club, so your time is gone.
“This is the reason he left, not because he is a bad guy. It is clear we did not push him out because just two weeks before, I said I would keep him.
“His time at Sunderland was finished because he was no longer capable of giving his best.”
Sessegnon was frequently one of the club’s better players last season as the goal shy club hovered dangerously close above the relegation zone for the bulk of the season.