What Does the Future Hold for Girona After Their Sudden Rise?
Girona's recent meteoric rise in Spanish football has shocked fans and pundits alike. After an unprecedented third-place finish in La Liga last season, the Catalan club is now facing the challenge of adapting to life in the Champions League. For many fans, this sudden success feels like a dream come true. Ivan Quiros, co-founder of Girona's fan club, describes the experience as "an unattainable and impossible dream, made real."
A Rapid Ascent with City Football Group's Influence
Girona's rise can be traced back to the City Football Group (CFG) investment in 2017. As part of an ownership consortium that includes stakes in Manchester City and 12 other clubs, CFG's support has brought professional structure and financial stability to Girona, albeit without the excessive spending seen at clubs like Paris Saint-Germain. The club's spending has been modest—last season's team that finished third in La Liga was assembled for just €33.75 million (£29 million).
The City Football Group's influence has been pivotal in Girona's progression, but it has also led to a revolving door of players. Girona has benefitted from numerous loan deals from Manchester City, although not all have been impactful. Players like Yan Couto shone during their time with Girona, while others like Douglas Luiz failed to make a significant impression.
Challenges in the Champions League
This season, Girona's Champions League campaign has been turbulent, with an opening loss to Paris Saint-Germain followed by a frustrating defeat to Feyenoord. The team, managed by Michel, has shown flashes of their attacking potential but also struggled with defensive errors. Girona's form has dipped in La Liga as well, with the club currently sitting mid-table.
Miquel Agut Riera, a commentator on Girona's matches, believes that their rapid qualification for the Champions League may have come "too fast." The departure of key players, including top scorer Artem Dovbyk and star loanee Savinho, has also contributed to their early struggles. Girona recruited 11 new players this season, but integrating them quickly has been difficult amid a packed schedule.
What Lies Ahead?
Despite the early difficulties, Girona's future seems promising under the stewardship of CFG. The club is working on building new training facilities and developing the infrastructure for long-term success. Sporting director Quique Carcel, who has been with the club since 2014, is seen as a crucial figure in Girona's rise. He has a knack for making shrewd transfers and has consistently built competitive teams, even in challenging financial circumstances.
Head coach Michel has also been instrumental in Girona's recent success, endearing himself to fans and promoting an attacking style of football. However, with his contract set to expire in 2026, there are concerns about whether the club can hold on to him, especially given the exposure of competing in Europe.
Girona's rise has been nothing short of remarkable, but maintaining their newfound status will be a challenge. With the backing of CFG, a strong sporting director in Carcel, and a talented head coach in Michel, the club has a solid foundation. However, the demands of Champions League football, player turnover, and the challenge of sustaining their success will test Girona's resilience in the coming years. Whether they can continue to grow or face a setback after their sudden rise remains to be seen, but the foundation for a bright future is certainly in place.
