Another audition to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City: “I do see myself as ready” - Girona’s Michel

In a wide-ranging appearance on the podcast ‘La Otra Grada’ by Feeberse, hosted by David Alonso and Clemente Garrido, Míchel spoke at length about his journey in soccer – both as a player and a coach – as well as his personal life, influences, and what may lie ahead.

While careful not to make definitive claims about his future, he admitted he would feel ready to take on a role as big as Manchester City’s. “I do see myself as ready, but I don’t know if they see it that way,” he said. “I feel prepared to coach any team, because I work from a human perspective, from sporting culture, to play well and get results.” He added that he has been taking English lessons and believes he can handle an elite locker room: “I don’t have a magic wand to deal with every ego, but I have the ability to adapt – and I want to experience it.”

Míchel also addressed his relationship with Pep Guardiola, for whom he holds deep respect and appreciation. He credited Guardiola for offering support and strengthening ties between their clubs through player loans. “I’m very grateful to him for helping me. It speaks highly of us that they trust us with their players. Echeverri, Vitor Reis… In the summer, he told Echeverri he was making a mistake going to Leverkusen, that he should come to Girona.”

Reflecting on his time at Girona, where he has now spent five seasons, Míchel reiterated that it is the place where he has felt most understood as a coach. He emphasized the club’s commitment to his philosophy and long-term vision, even in difficult moments. “They’ve understood the philosophy, the project. They’ve respected that at all times. As a coach, it’s where I’ve felt most fulfilled. In tough moments, the project and our way of doing things were never questioned – and that doesn’t happen everywhere.”

He also spoke about Raúl, expressing confidence that the former Real Madrid captain will eventually land a major managerial role. “That Real Madrid DNA, that winning mentality Raúl has, is hard to match. I think he deserves an opportunity, and sooner or later it will come.”

Finally, the current Girona coach recalled a pivotal moment when he nearly signed for Real Madrid as a player. In a surprising twist, he chose not to go through with the move at the last minute. “We had arranged to sign for Real Madrid, and I didn’t show up. I wanted to stay at Rayo Vallecano. Everyone told me to go to Madrid, and when the time came, I told my father, ‘I’m not going’ – and I didn’t.”

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