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Photo by Mark Fletcher/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Mark Fletcher/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Pablo Hernandez admits he is ‘lucky’ to have met Marcelo Bielsa late in his career

Mathew Nash
Mathew Nash

Leeds United playmaker Pablo Hernandez has admitted he is lucky to have met Marcelo Bielsa at this stage of his career. 

The Spaniard was already an established player at Leeds before Bielsa’s arrival. His former Swansea City comrade Garry Monk pulled him to Elland Road from Qatari football and he was also a regular under Thomas Christiansen.

However, it is under Bielsa that Hernandez has perhaps performed best, despite his advancing years. 

HULL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 29: Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa arrives at the KCOM Stadium during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Leeds United at KCOM Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Hull, England. (Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images)

Hernandez admitted that in his advanced years, he did not think he could learn much more in the game. Then Bielsa came to Leeds. 

“Soccer crosses paths and I have been lucky to meet Bielsa. He came to my career at 33-years-old, when you think you do not have much more to learn as a player or progress, and with Marcelo you learn every day. Without going any further I think last season was the best of my career.”

There is no doubt that the hard physical work and conditioning that Bielsa puts his Leeds United players through can only have helped add years to Hernandez’s career as well. 

The 35-year-old is contracted at Elland Road until 2022, a deal which was signed last November, highlighting the faith the staff at Leeds clearly have in Hernandez despite his age. 

Undoubtedly, Bielsa’s impact cannot be understated. Clearly it has helped Hernandez become one of the Championship’s best players and given him a new lease of life in the game. 

Here’s hoping he can continue to learn from the Argentine.