Leeds United are back in the Premier League after securing not only promotion, but the Championship title – and Pablo Hernandez has matched his old side after Sunday’s 5-0 win.
Daniel Farke has guided Leeds United back to the Premier League five years after Pablo Hernandez’s key role in Marcelo Bielsa’s side, winning promotion as champions in 19-20. 18 goals and assists that season.
But of course, Leeds icon Hernandez retired at the end of the 2022-23 season having returned to Spain from Leeds to play for boyhood club Castellon. After 57 appearances, the Spaniard hung up his boots.
Since then, Hernandez has been playing a bit of Spain’s version of Masters League before taking on the role as manager of Castellon B’s side. He became manager of the fifth-tier Spanish outfit last June.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty ImagesPablo Hernandez guides Castellon B to League title on Sunday
Just a couple of weeks after Leeds had secured the title in a late 2-1 win over Plymouth, Hernandez had the chance to win the Tercera Division trophy. A win was required at home against minnows Crevillente.
In true Hernandez fashion, his side did it in style. A massive 5-0 win that could now take Castellon into the Segunda Federacion – the fourth tier of Spanish football, two leagues behind the senior side.
A total of 58 points from 34 games has seen Hernandez secure the league title in what was his first year as a manager. A stunning achievement given Castellon B finished 14th of 18 in the same league last term.
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There are some managers with Leeds United ties performing superbly, at the moment. Carlos Corberan is a gaffer Leeds have kept tabs on ever since he left as Marcelo Bielsa’s assistant, to manage Huddersfield.
He took over at Valencia with the club in the bottom three, leaving West Brom to do so. He has guided Gary Neville’s old side to within an inch of European qualification, after a 3-0 win over Getafe on Saturday.
Hernandez’s first season in management has been sensational, a truly remarkable job given their finish last season. If Leeds need a manager that will excite fans, then Hernandez could be the one to turn to.