‘Pain of relegation has never left me ..there’s no one happier Leeds are back in big time

FORMER CAPTAIN MATTEO REVEALS HE FINALLY HAS CLOSURE

HE has already battled back from a brain tumour, now Leeds have helped mend Dominic Matteo’s broken heart.

United’s promotion to the Premier League after 16 years in exile has finally given Matteo closure on the worst day of his career.

The former Scotland international was Leeds captain when they were relegated in 2004 and he admits he never got over that crushing disappointment. He fell for Leeds and the fans loved him back because “he scored a f ***** g great goal in the San Siro” – as their song from 2000 goes.

Leeds’ return as champions under Marcelo Bielsa has exorcised those demons and Matteo (left) could not be more relieved.

“There’s no one happier than me that Leeds are back because I think of that relegation all the time, there’s no getting away from it for me,” he said.

“I don’t know how other players can put something like that behind them. It’s too important. When you’ve got a love for a club, you can’t just turn it off.

“It felt horrible, I didn’t like it, and I wanted to keep Leeds in the Premier League so much.

“I have always felt this pain because I care for the club. I get Leeds United, I get clubs I played for. Leeds were one of the great teams of the 1960s and ’70s and ’90s, when they last won the league.

“We had glimpses of it when I played – we got to the Champions League semi-finals. They deserve to be in the Premier League and I’m just so relieved and happy they are back there.”

Matteo, 46, who was at Elland Road between 2000 and 2004, had surgery in November to remove a brain tumour and says his return to full health has been helped by Leeds. Their success – and former club Liverpool’s first league title in 30 years – have lifted him and he has enjoyed doing punditry work on the return of the glory days for both clubs.

“Liverpool-Leeds will be the dream game for me next season because they are the two clubs closest to my heart and because of what I’ve been through personally,” he added.

“Leeds winning promotion has made it the perfect year after Liverpool won the title and me getting through what I’m getting through. It makes me feel positive.”