GIRONA, Spain (AP) — The coach who led Girona to an unheralded championship. Surprise challenge for Spanish title in 2024 And his Champions League debut left the club on Thursday. demoted from the top tier.
Michel Sanchez: “I will not continue to play for Girona” The Catalan club said in a statement. Thursday, just days after the team drew 1-1 at home with Elche, which would have secured them a spot in La Liga if they won.
Sanchez was praised for having “always maintained a humane, approachable and respectful attitude towards members, fans, management and all staff at the club”.
Dutch media reported this week that Sanchez was in talks with Ajax to become manager of the four-time European champions.
Sanchez, 50, joined Girona in 2021 and led the team to promotion from the second division.
The club, part of the Abu Dhabi-backed City Football Group, shocked European football in 2023-24 by topping the La Liga standings in late January and finishing third behind Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Girona’s star player that season, Sabinho subsequently joined parent club Manchester City. In the Champions League, Girona finished 33rd out of 36 teams.
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