How Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa are inadvertently helping side to LaLiga promotion

Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United are inadvertently helping Spanish side Castellon in their push for LaLiga promotion.

While the link may not seem obvious, it is to do with former Leeds cult figure Pablo Hernandez.

Hernandez spent five years at Elland Road prior to departing in 2021 to see out his career with Castellon.

He retired three years ago and, following a spell in charge of Castellon B, he has been head coach of the senior side for the past 12 months.

After missing out in the playoffs last season, Castellon have started the 2026-27 campaign superbly and are top of LaLiga 2 after seven games.

But how exactly do Leeds United play into all this?

Pablo Hernandez leaning on Marcelo Bielsa style

Castellon have a long way to go yet, of course, but they are certainly looking as though they will be in the promotion mix again.

Taking the Valencian side into the top flight would be an unbelievably achievement for anyone, let along a manager so early in his career.

As per a report from Marca on Friday, Hernandez is leaning heavily on what he learned from Bielsa at Leeds.

Hernandez played under Bielsa for a few years in West Yorkshire and, like many others who have done so, he picked up a lot from the South American.

The report adds how Hernandez is also taking some inspiration from Michael Laudrup, who he worked with at Getafe and Swansea.

This Bielsa-style football is clearly paying off, with Castellon earning praise for their entertaining nature and winning games in the process.

Could we be seeing a Leeds manager in waiting?

Hernandez is clearly taking no time at all to make an impression in the world of management.

Seeing former players return years down the line as manager is always intriguing.

And it may well be that Hernandez is in the Elland Road dugout one day.

That is still a long, long way off, of course, but it is not far-fetched to suggest that may be the case.

For now, the Spaniard will continue doing his thing at Castellon, with Leeds supporters no doubt backing him on his way.