By Daniel Feliciano

19th Feb, 2022 | 11:15am

Gaetano Berardi reveals 'dream' he achieved at Leeds

Former Leeds United ace Gaetano Berardi has revealed his “biggest dream” at Elland Road was to take the team to the Premier League, and he succeeded.

Berardi spent seven years with the Whites before leaving in the summer, after being part of the squad that returned to the Premier League after 17 years in the Football League.

Now in an interview with The Square Ball, Berardi has revealed that he never wanted to play in the Premier League but it was his dream to get the team back there.

“My dream was to take the team to the Premier League,” he said. “It was never to play in the Premier League, it was just to take the club there.

“That was my biggest dream. We did it and I was there. It was the biggest gift in my career.”

Cult hero

The club had a rough time after their relegation but after getting good again under Marcelo Bielsa, and Berardi was a player who the fans really took to.

He made more than 150 appearances for the Whites including 25 appearances in all competitions the year they gained promotion from the Championship.

His only year in the Premier League wasn’t so successful, as the left-back played just twice in the top flight.

But his contribution to bringing Leeds back to the top division in English football won’t be forgotten by fans any time soon and his love for the club is clear.

Players are often loved for what they do at the top level with their club but Berardi’s bond will forever be about getting the team there rather than what he actually did there. Now they need to stay there.

In other Leeds news, Victor Orta is ‘huge fan’ of one candidate to replace Bielsa this summer at Leeds – Journo