Pablo Hernandez has been speaking to Spanish media in a long-winded interview about his career and responded when asked what it was like to play under Marcelo Bielsa during his time at Leeds – combining for three years.
Hernandez, 38, has spent the last two years at Spanish side Castellon since leaving Leeds – where he clocked up a huge 175 games. More outings than any other club he has played for including Valencia, where he played 158 times.
Becoming an icon at Elland Road – Spain international Hernandez helped Leeds gain promotion return to the Premier League in the fourth of his five years at Leeds. He also spoke of how he only intended to remain at Leeds for a year.
But instead, he stayed on until the summer of 2021 – after Garry Monk reunited with his old Swansea colleague in 2016. Hernandez was asked what it was like to work under Bielsa, underlining the special nature of the relationship.
“I feel tremendously lucky to have worked with him. An incredible experience. Players who’ve been lucky enough to experience it know what I am talking about, there are many good coaches, but there is no coach like Bielsa.
“It is something incredible, and the truth is that, what am I going to say? Probably my three best years as a professional have been with him, so I don’t have much more to say,” Hernandez told Spanish media this week.
Hernandez on what it was like to play under Bielsa at Leeds United
It would have been glorious to have Hernandez for another season. Even if it meant he was only a rotational option, a squad player. Since his departure, he has hardly been replaced. His last season, probably the last season of joy.
Leeds are a long way from the glorious spell that Bielsa and Hernandez enjoyed together. Sitting in 16th place and after four defeats in the last five, the work that Hernandez and Bielsa did in getting Leeds up, could be undone.
