Pablo Hernandez is just one player of the modern era who can be described as a modern day Leeds United legend.
Having been the key man to take them back to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa, Pablo Hernandez remains such a beloved figure at Elland Road to this day.
Leeds United have a long list of legends from throughout the club’s prestigious history but modern day icons are rare when the nature of football is short-term stints for the majority of players in 2025.
Hernandez has even admitted he watches Leeds games when he can, which explains why Hernandez sent Leeds a congratulatory message following promotion.
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Leeds United supporters react as Pablo Hernandez claims Castellon promotion
It was actually Gary Monk, who worked with the playmaker at Swansea City and brought in Hernandez on an initial loan at Leeds before making the move permanent the following January for free.
Hernandez immediately captured the imagination of fans with his elegant dribbling and exquisite eye for a pass as he became a fan favourite incredibly quickly for Leeds.
The veteran enjoyed two fantastic seasons – registering 15 goals and 18 assists – but somehow took his game to an even higher level upon Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival in 2018. Hernandez played his best football under Bielsa and performed to a high level well into his 30s.
Then, having returned to Spain from Leeds to play for boyhood club Castellon, he eventually retired. That came after 57 appearances, with the Spaniard hanging up his boots.
In doing so, he remained a director of the club but also took the role as manager of Castellon B’s side. He became manager of the fifth-tier Spanish outfit last June.
Hernandez has since achieved promotion with them over the weekend, which a number of Leeds fans have since reacted to. One said: “Congrats Pablo, legend still working his magic to this day.”
Another Leeds fan added: “Didn’t realise he got into management. Now that’s Berardi & Pablo”
Some Leeds fans are hoping he will return to Leeds again one day, stating: “Great to see El Mago’s journey to one day becoming Leeds manager and guiding us back to Europe is progressing well.”
Another joked that he should replace Carlo Ancelotti with the Real Madrid icon heading to manage Brazil’s national team this summer. They said: “Think he could do a shift at Real Madrid once Ancelotti leaves.”
The last Tweet shows just how adored Hernandez is, with Leeds fans present at the game to watch him manage the team to promotion despite the 40-year-old leaving four years ago.
Pablo Hernandez’s accolades at Leeds United
The Spanish magician retired from football two years ago but Hernandez has many great moments for Leeds, including that promotion in 2020.
| Games | Goals | Assists | Yellow cards | Red cards |
| 175 | 36 | 41 | 22 | 0 |
Not only did he win promotion with Leeds, but Hernandez had a lasting impact on the club under the stewardship of Bielsa. He won Leeds United Player of the Year and/or the Players Player of the Year in 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20.
He was also a part of the 2018/19 Championship Team of the Season and his performances lit up Elland Road for a number of years; there have been few like him since his departure.
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