The 50-year-old, who joined Girona in the summer of 2021 when the club were in the second tier, oversaw 221 official matches across his tenure, winning 91 of them.
He took the club up in his first season, consolidated their place in the top flight, and then produced one of Spanish football's great modern surprises: a third-place La Liga finish in 2023-24 that delivered Champions League football for the first time in the club's history.
Girona, backed by the City Football Group ownership structure, led La Liga as late as January in that season before eventually finishing behind Real Madrid and Barcelona. Savinho, the Brazilian winger who was the emblem of that campaign, subsequently joined parent club Manchester City.
The seasons that followed could not sustain that level. Girona finished narrowly above the relegation zone last season and were unable to repeat the escape this time. A 1-1 draw at home to Elche on the final day, when a win would have guaranteed survival, confirmed their drop to the second tier. They finished 19th, alongside Real Oviedo and Mallorca.
In a statement, the club praised Míchel for "the humane, approachable and respectful manner he has maintained at all times" and described him as "one of the most important coaches in the club's recent history." His assistants — Salva Fúnez, David Porcel and Juan Carlos Balaguer — also depart.
Dutch media have reported this week that Míchel is in talks with Ajax about taking over the four-time European champions.
The third-place finish of 2023-24 will remain the defining image of his time at Montilivi. Relegation is the last chapter, but it is not the whole story.