Gaetano Berardi cemented himself as a Leeds United hero but will be ruing this one element of his Elland Road career that still haunts him to this day.
Eight seasons at Leeds and a fiery character is what the Whites faithful got out of Berardi.
The Swiss defender was an ever-relied-upon servant in Yorkshire, amassing 157 appearances, where he played under seven different managers, ending his time with Marcelo Bielsa in charge.
He was a part of the title winning squad that returned Leeds to the top flight after 17 years, as Pablo Hernandez and Berardi left Leeds together.
Although a successful career, Berardi had one regret which still lives with him, and Leeds fans will remember it well.
What Gaetano Berardi once said was his only regret at Leeds United
It was difficult for the Swiss to have any regrets but this was one that certainly would’ve caught a bad reputation at the time.
Berardi is eyeing a coaching career as the former defender might not be done with his time at Elland Road, with Berardi open to a Leeds return.
He might not be done in Yorkshire, but if he does come back, the memories of this painful moment will come flooding back.
During the 2018/19 season when Leeds faced Frank Lampard’s Derby County side in the Championship play-off semi-final second-leg, the occasion got the better of Berardi.
With the scoreline at 3-2 and everything to play for, the game was heated, and Berardi was largely involved, as two quickfire yellows saw Berardi sent off after lashing out on Bradley Johnson.
Speaking to The Square Ball podcast in 2022 (13:15), Berardi spoke on how the incident still impacts him today and how he would change it if it were replayed again.
“I could’ve controlled something in a better way,” Berardi said.
“If I think about that day, it was like a blackout in the second half. When they scored the first in the second half, that was the moment we gave up. My red card was a mistake, it was crazy.
“When I think about my career, that day is still there.
“It was difficult to talk after the game, I can not explain 100% cause some things have to stay in the changing room.”
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Bielsa has influenced Berardi to go into coaching, potentially Leeds United
As mentioned, Berardi would love the idea of going into coaching and potentially back at Leeds.
Bielsa was a key reason why the former Swiss international wants to head down this path, as you can tell when both were at the Whites, they shared the fiery attitude in both playing and management.
Berardi said Bielsa had a big influence on him and it comes as no surprise after what the pairing endured in Yorkshire.
The Argentine’s approach to things is phenomenal, and Berardi can now use that knowledge in his coaching career, and no doubt Leeds and Daniel Farke would welcome him back with open arms.
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