The Whites defender is a fans’ favourite at Elland Road.
Former Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn has explained how Gaetano Berardi went up in his teammates’ estimations, in an interview with Four Four Two magazine.
Redfearn managed Leeds for seven months during the 2014-15 season, having previously been head of the club’s academy.
And in April last year, the 51-year-old faced arguably his most difficult moment, when six first-team players withdrew from the travelling party for the following day’s fixture at Charlton Athletic.
But while the sextet – comprising Souleymane Doukara, Mirco Antenucci, Giuseppe Bellusci, Dario Del Fabro, Marco Silvestri and Edgar Cani, who had each arrived from clubs in Italy – stayed behind, Berardi refused to follow suit.
“There wasn’t time for an inquiry because we had to set off from Elland Road at 1:30pm,” Redfearn told Four Four Two’s November issue.
“So I said: ‘Anyone who’s coming, get on the bus.’ To his credit, Gaetano Berardi – another of the signings from Italy – came with us and you could see he went right up in the other lads’ estimations.”
Redfearn lasted another month at Elland Road, before being informed by owner Massimo Cellino that he was being placed on gardening leave until the start of July – at which point he would return to his previous role.
Although the former midfielder left Leeds shortly after – with Cani and Del Fabro already having departed and Bellusci and Antenucci following suit a year later – Berardi remained and has since established himself as a fans’ favourite.
Cani (left)
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
