Leeds United playmaker Pablo Hernandez has revealed he has one eye on a coaching career as he approaches the final stage of his playing career.
The Spaniard, who turned 33 in April, admitted at a media conference at lunchtime on Thursday that he is playing some of the best football of his career but recognises that there is a limit to how long he can continue playing.
As quoted by the personal Twitter account of BBC Radio Leeds journalist Adam Pope and the official Leeds account, Hernandez explained he is looking at coaching and always looks to help the club’s young players.
“I learn a lot from Marcelo,” he said. “I know we have good, young players, and I try to help them. In this situation, when you’re top of the league, and you need to win, I think I can help them because I have experience in the Spanish league, Premier League, and Champions League.”
PH says he is looking at coaching: “I learn a lot from Marcelo (Bielsa). I’m 33 and I know I have a lot of experience but I know I can always improve.” #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) November 8, 2018
PH: "I know my age but I try to push every day in training & in my life. I eat good food, I have good rest. It's not the same like when I was 23. But I feel good & I feel young." #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) November 8, 2018
? | Pablo on his experience: "I know we have good, young players, and I try to help them. In this situation, when you're top of the league, and you need to win, I think I can help them because I have experience in the Spanish league, Premier League, and Champions League."
— Leeds United (@LUFC) November 8, 2018
OPINION
By the time the two-year contract that Hernandez signed in April expires, he will have blown out 35 candles on his birthday cake. Few outfield footballers are still regularly playing past that age at a high level, although there are always Ryan Giggs and their ilk who are notable exceptions. Hernandez is a lean athlete who spoke today of good diet, nutrition and lifestyle to enable him to maintain the elite fitness demanded by Bielsa. But he will be well aware that the aches and pains will eventually become too much to bear, despite the improved sports science and fitness methods of the modern era. Who can blame the former Spain international for having one eye on a post-playing career? He speaks reasonable English and, after a previous spell in the Premier League at Swansea City, might look to settle down and begin a coaching career in England, as Roberto Martinez did with such success in south Wales.