Is Girona going to be the Leicester City FC of La Liga?
Football has seen the most improbable championship run get completed but Spain's top-flight football league is stranger to it as it has always been a race between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Atletico Madrid sometimes sneaks in.
Enter Girona who last Monday returned to the top of the table after a victory over Alaves. The week before that, they defeated Barcelona, 4-2.
Girona currently have 44 points after 17 matches played. They lost just once and drew twice.
Real Madrid are in second place with 42 points while Barcelona sit in third place with 35 points.
There are still more than 21 match weeks left but what Blanquivermells are doing is already getting the attention of the world.
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At the center of this incredible run is Girona coach Michel who joined the team in 2021 and helped the club get promoted from Segunda División to La Liga.
1. Michel salary, contract details
Girona were expected to struggle in La Liga when they reached it for the second time in its history in 2022. The first time they got there in 2016, they spent two seasons before being relegated to Segunda again.
The second time, they don't feel lost anymore as they finished 10th in 2022 and now, they are first with a good number of games to go.
The major difference is Michel who was hired by the club despite the uncertainty of promotion three years ago.
Giron initially intended to keep him only until 2024 but decided to extend his contract until 2026 after the two parties agreed on a new deal in May 2023.
He will have a better payday in the future but this season, he is ranked 13th in highest-earning football managers in La Liga. He is set to earn €250,000 this year, a far cry from what Carlo Ancelotti's €12 million and top earner Diego Simeone's €40 million.
2. Success of coaching style
While Barcelona's Tiki-Taka is all about short passes and movements, Michel's brand of football is all about attacking.
They scored the most goals in the league so far with 41.
The system will not be effective though if they don't have the pieces to get the job done. Michel signed Artem Dovbyk over the summer and that proved to be a good decision as the Ukrainian forward is currently the second top scorer with 10 goals. Only Jude Bellingham has more.
Their success is a team effort as 11 players have scored at least one goal entering the second half of the season.
3. Barcelona wants to pirate Míchel
Míchel have managed small clubs so far but what he is doing at Girona is catching the attention of big market teams.
Enter Barcelona who they beat last week. Their Catalonian rivals' Xavi could get the pink slip soon as Barca's struggles continue.
Spanish journalist Francois Gallardo revealed Blaugrana officials have been monitoring Míchel since October and that the manager's representatives already met with them.
It is unlikely that Girona will let go of Míchel, especially if they win the La Liga title come May.
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