Michel Joins Ajax After Girona Relegation To Lead Dutch Giants Back To Success

Ajax have appointed former Girona coach Michel on a two-year contract, handing Michel a swift route back into management. The Dutch club acted after a difficult 2025-26 campaign, when Ajax finished fifth in the Eredivisie but still earned a Europa Conference League place through play-offs.

Michel left Girona last week, days after relegation from LaLiga was confirmed on the final matchday. The drop came only two years after Michel had guided Girona into the Champions League, highlighting how sharply fortunes changed before Ajax stepped in with this new opportunity.

Across Michel's spell in Spain, Girona developed a clear passing style that attracted attention across Europe. Since Michel's first La Liga season with Girona in 2022-23, the side posted an average passing accuracy of 86.3 percent and struck 26 goals from open-play moves of at least 10 passes.

Ajax highlighted Michel's track record with possession football when confirming the deal in Amsterdam. Michel spoke of the significance of the move, saying: "It feels good to be here; I am proud to take this next step in my career. Ajax is a big name in Europe, a club that has always produced young, talented players," Michel said. "[Technical director] Jordi [Cruyff]knows me from my work in Spain, and we have spoken together about the clubs philosophy, about how I work and how that fits in. He has expressed full confidence in me, and together with the other people within the club, we are starting a new challenge. The aim is to get Ajax back to where it belongs, and I have every confidence that we will succeed."

The Amsterdam side closed the 2025-26 Eredivisie season with 56 points, the lowest total recorded by Ajax since 1962. John Heitinga, Fred Grim and Oscar Garcia each spent time in charge during that campaign, which ended with Ajax beating Utrecht on penalties in a play-off to secure Conference League qualification.

Michel now arrives with a possession-focused reputation from Girona and responsibility to stabilise Ajax after an erratic year. The club expects the new coaching team, including Jordi Cruyff in a key role, to restore consistent league form while maintaining Ajax's identity for developing younger players in European competition.