The current Port Vale manager has spoken of his emotion at the state of his former club, following his visit to Elland Road last year.
Ribiero, whose current Port Vale side are going well in League One, has revealed to the Guardian that having compared Elland Road in his most recent visit to when he used to wear the famous white shirt, has filled him with great sadness.
Ribiero, 40, represented The Whites between 1997-99, making 42 appearances.
The respective fixture saw Ribiero’s former team-mate, Jimmy Floyd-Hasslebaink, bring his QPR side to West Yorkshire.
The Portuguese manager admitted that their after match conversation was one that shared that emotion.
“Just 17,000 people in there. “For that club, a massive club, I just feel sad. Jimmy and I were talking afterwards, remembering how the supporters loved us at that time, how nearly 40,000 would come every week and make such an amazing atmosphere. To go there now and see how things are – it’s very difficult.”
Jimmy and I were talking afterwards, remembering how the supporters loved us at that time, how nearly 40,000 would come every week and make such an amazing atmosphere.
To go there now and see how things are, is very difficult.”
Ribiero, who was given his début by Jose Mourinho’s father, joined Vale in the summer when former manager, Rob Page, left to join Northampton.
He could barely have started any better, surprise package Vale sit sixth after the opening two months of the season; one point clear of Bristol Rovers in seventh.
Ribiero’s next visit to Elland Road could be in the opposition dugout, if Vale can maintain their early season form, that is.
