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‘In two minds’ – Phil Hay details Pablo Hernandez’s Leeds decision still to be made

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Pablo Hernandez’s long-term future after his playing days remain uncertain despite constant calls for him to take up coaching.

When Leeds signed Hernandez back in the summer of 2016, there was no telling how much of an impact he would have on the club and its history.

He was an instant hit with the fans under Garry Monk but his influence would only grow under Marcelo Bielsa from the start of the 2018/19 season.

A player whose experience and creativity on the ball deserved more than Championship football, and he got his wish at the age of 35 when his match-winning performances helped the Whites to the Premier League.

Top flight football was clinched in July after iconic goals such as Hernandez’s winner at Swansea, and he’ll always be remembered as one of the key players in that season.

This season has seen his influence waver somewhat due to the raised standard and signing of Rodrigo, but he still has a part to play for the Whites.

His substitution against Leicester City smacked of a player knowing that he needs to make every appearance count during the twilight of his career, and it might not be long before he’s thinking of what to do post-retirement.

His tactical and technical intelligence is something that shows he would be well-placed in becoming a coach in the future, while Bielsa’s influence also helps, as it has done with Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino, and Carlos Corberan among others.

Commenting on The Phil Hay Show, The Athletic’s Hay indicated that Hernandez might not be set on becoming a coach as many expect. He stated: “I asked him about this a couple of years ago after he won his first Player of the Year award, and he seemed to be in two minds.

“I think he’s open to the idea but without being dead set on it.

“Whereas some players get to the ends of their careers and are absolutely certain that they want to be coaches or managers, I think he’s a little bit undecided, or more easy going and he’ll take it as it comes.

“He talked about the idea of getting into youth coaching, more than anything, to see if he was good at it and to see if it was for him.”

It seems like it would be a huge waste of footballing knowledge to not see Hernandez take up coaching in some capacity, plus the fantasy of having him manage Leeds is always there.

Youth management seems to be a solid avenue for players to come through into management, as Guardiola has proven and Steve Gerrard currently looks like proving, as well as Corberan.

There’s no reason to force him into doing it right away but the thought is clearly there for Hernandez to explore.

Having played under Bielsa at his age, you’d think that his mind might have swayed a lot more towards coaching, as will be the case with most of the squad, who look so much more tactical adept after his coaching.

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.