Leeds United hero Gaetano Berardi has backed his old club to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt. The Whites' three-year stay in the top flight came to an end last weekend as a wretched campaign saw them slip back into the Championship.
And with Sam Allardyce's departure confirmed this week after his short-term rescue mission ended in failure, they are now searching for a new boss to spearhead a promotion bid next term. But former Swiss international Berardi, who spend seven years at Elland Road and helped the club end its 16-year exile from the top flight in 2020, is convinced Leeds have what it takes to make a swift return.
"I think yes," said the 34-year-old, when asked in an interview with BBC Radio Leeds whether his old club can bounce back at the first attempt. "I think they still have the strength, the power to come back, to come back to the Premier League.
