Gaetano Berardi spent seven years at Leeds United between 2014 and 2021.
The 36-year-old, who ended his playing career in 2023, was part of the Leeds United squad that achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2020. During his time at Elland Road, the Swiss played alongside Ezgjan Alioski.
Thursday’s edition of Corriere del Ticino are reporting on FC Lugano’s desire to bring Alioski back to the club.
The North Macedonia international’s agent, Dino Lamberti, has confirmed Lugano’s interest in his client. The representative insists it’s not a given he will return in the summer window.
Alioski spent two years with the Swiss club before leaving them for the Whites in 2017. He spent four years at Leeds, where he played alongside Berardi.
The 33-year-old mainly operated on the left side for the English club, a position preferred by Berardi during his playing career.
Alioski made 171 appearances for the Whites, managing 22 goals and 19 assists in the process. Berardi now raves about his impact at Leeds.
“He surprised me, because I didn’t know him personally and it was a wonderful discovery. In those years, he played an important role, both on and off the pitch; he had a positive impact on the whole group,” he said.
Berardi has been Brescia U17 manager since last summer and was asked whether it would be difficult to manage Alioski.
Responding to that, Berardi explained: “Absolutely not, he’s someone who knows how to impose himself but is also very good at making himself liked. I’m convinced that a guy like that would lend a helping hand to any dressing room.”
Berardi said former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa appreciated the North Macedonian and then went on to back Lugano to sign his old teammate.
“I’m convinced that in Switzerland he could still make the difference,” he added.
“He needs a project in which he feels a protagonist and, in these conditions, he’s able to enhance his qualities.”
