"A lot of my mates thought his comments were out of order but it is water off a duck's back. I can handle it.
"I just think it was disappointing Mr Ridsdale should say things like that."
Despite claiming he did not want Ferdinand to leave, Ridsdale later argued the reason Leeds had bought him from West Ham for £18m was because they needed cover for Jonathan Woodgate.
"It's time to let bygones be bygones and for him to get on with his life and me to get on with mine.
"He knew my feelings and I knew his. I wish he could have just left it at that.
"I've always said I respect the people at Leeds and I enjoyed my time there.
"But after a lot of soul-searching I felt it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down.