Pablo Hernandez has apologised for his angry outburst which earned him the axe from Marcelo Bielsa.
Hernandez was missing from Leeds ’ matchday squad for Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace and Bielsa refused to explain his absence.
The Spanish playmaker has now admitted he was dropped for disciplinary reasons because he kicked a water bottle in anger when Bielsa took him off in Monday’s 4-1 home loss to Leicester.
Hernandez, 35, has said sorry for reacting so badly and insists he meant no disrespect to Bielsa or Leeds.
“Apologies for my gesture the other day,” he wrote on his Instagram account.
“It was a reaction that does not describe my way of being or my way of thinking.
“I have always represented and will represent the values of this club and this fans as they deserve.”
Bielsa had not seen Hernandez kick over a water bottle when asked about the incident after Monday’s defeat to Leicester at Elland Road.
He clearly felt he had to punish Hernandez for his outburst because he had challenged his authority.
Bielsa claimed after Saturday’s loss that he had picked the best 18 players for the trip to Selhurst Park, replacing Hernandez with Under-23s midfielder Jack Jenkins.
“Pablo is fit, he wasn’t in the squad for today’s game,” said Bielsa after Leeds’ second 4-1 drubbing of the week.
“I evaluate all the players for the upcoming game and didn’t pick him for this game. If you feel the decision was strange, I choose the 18 players I feel are apt for the game.”
