If there is one thing we can thank Garry Monk for it is bringing Pablo Hernandez into our lives. Cast aside at Al-Arabi in Qatar, the move to Elland Road rejuvenated Hernandez and rejuvenated Leeds United. A rare shining star in those Monk, Christianson and Heckingbottom teams it was the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United that really brought out the best in ‘El Mago’. His best years behind him perhaps, but there was no questioning his ability. On his day still one of the best players in the Championship, our heartbeat, our talisman who often pulled something special out of the bag, created a chance out of nothing, scored a wonder goal.
Wherever Pablo played his influence on the team was clear, Leeds just weren’t as creative without him on the pitch. As much as the previous two seasons at Elland Road have been a Bielsa revolution it’s hard to see how that revolution could have been so successful without the magician that is Pablo Hernandez. Injuries meant his playing time was limited towards the end of last season, but those 45 minutes a game drove us onto the title and back to the Premier League for the first time in sixteen years. Chances have been limited further this season and a move back to Spain seemed inevitable but to hear the news of his departure officially is a blow, the end of an era.
We will always have that goal against West Brom, that defining goal against Swansea to remember him and at least 9,000 fans will get a chance to see him pull the strings for Leeds United one final time at Elland Road on Friday. As one of the most talismanic figures in Leeds United’s recent history departs a legend is born. His name will go down in history alongside those of Strachan and Bremner, his place cemented in Leeds United folk law as one of the most important and influential players to pull on the white shirt.
Farewell El Mago, and thank you!
