The Spanish media are full of praise for Pablo Hernandez once again, as the Leeds United icon closed in on an automatic promotion spot with Castellon.
Castellon appeared destined for a relegation battle when Pablo Hernandez took over, initially as interim manager.
However, the stalwart of the Marcelo Bielsa side has lifted his side from the doldrums, steering them away from trouble in spectacular fashion.
Hernandez’s Castellon side are now firmly in contention for promotion to La Liga, having taken just short of 75% of the points available to them since Hernandez took charge.
Now, the Spanish press has suggested that they have “the right to dream” of automatic promotion, after their latest victory.
Pablo Hernandez addresses a potential ‘dream’ Leeds United return
“Obviously, the clubs [Valencia and Leeds] that are so important to me would be a dream, but it is not something I am considering at the moment.
“First, I want to learn a lot, I have a lot to learn, see if this is what really fulfils me and what I like, and in the future, we will see that it holds.”
Pablo Hernandez
Castellon have the ‘right to dream’ under Pablo Hernandez
Castellon secured a fifth consecutive league win at the weekend, as they overcame relegation contenders Mirandes in a 3-1 win.
According to El Periodico Mediterraneo, which ran the headline Castellon earn the right to dream, Hernandez’s side are now serious contenders for automatic promotion.
“Why not? Whatever happened against Mirandes, Bob Voulgaris, Pablo Hernández, and their players have given the Castellón fans the right to feel that hope. To experience the daily grind of football with less fear and more ambition,” El Periodico Mediterraneo wrote.
Marca concurred with this assessment, reporting that Castellon are now firmly in the automatic promotion fight, after a tense win. They wrote: “Mirandes didn’t give up and competed until the end.
Would you like to see Pablo Hernandez return to Elland Road as manager one day? 🧙♂️
El Mago has opened up on the ongoing influence of El Loco, Marcelo Biel
I’ve been lucky enough to have had some truly great coaches, and if I had to pick one who has influenced me the most, it would be Bielsa.
He’s a top coach who gets the absolute best out of his teams and players. There are many things I’ve learned from him.When he arrived at Leeds, I was already in the final stages of my career and thought I knew everything there was to know about football, and he helped me take that extra step.
Pablo Hernandez speaking to Marca
Many of the things I see in football now I’ve picked up from him.
“But it was the black and white team that scored near the end with Camara’s brace, confirming the victory for Castellón, who are now close to the automatic promotion places.”
Diario AS declared that Castellon are now among the favourites for automatic promotion, having closed the gap to just one point, as they stated: “Pablo Hernández’s Castellón side have already established themselves as a favourite in LaLiga Hypermotion for direct promotion to the top tier of Spanish football.
“This is further solidified after Monday’s 3-1 victory against Mirandes.”
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Pablo Hernandez reflects on incredible season with Castellon
Speaking to El Periodico Mediterraneo after the game, Hernandez admitted that he could not quite believe the success he has achieved this year.
Having steered Castellon’s reserve team to promotion last season, he now looks like repeating the trick with the senior side this season. Hernandez admitted that it has been a “dream year”, as he said: On a personal level, it’s been a dream year.
“I achieved promotion to the Second Division RFEF. This season, after just two matches with the B Team, I moved up to the first team, and I’m very happy.
“There’s no better way to end the year than by securing this victory for the fans. I hope it serves as a model for how we finish 2025 and start 2026.”
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