Girona needed a win to survive. Elche struck first through Álvaro Rodríguez before Arnau Martínez equalised early in the second half, but the Catalans could not find the goal that would have saved them. Osasuna's victory elsewhere sealed their fate.
The result ends a five-year chapter under Míchel that brought the club from the second division to the Champions League — and now back down again. The 50-year-old's contract expires on 30 June and Ajax Amsterdam, under newly appointed sporting director Jordi Cruyff, have been in contact with his representatives about taking over at the Johan Cruyff Arena next season.
Speaking to DAZN immediately after the final whistle, Míchel was candid about where his focus lay and careful about making any public commitment before speaking with the club.
"I don't know if yesterday was my last match. I have to speak with the club. I'm not thinking about that right now," he said. "I have spent five years dedicating myself to making sure this club is in the best possible hands. I tried by every means to make today go well. I feel very responsible for what has happened. I won't do anything against Girona without having spoken with them first."
On the relegation itself: "It is a very hard moment for everyone — for the club, for the supporters, for the province. Football often delivers these blows and what we can do is try to get back up as quickly as possible. We came into this with a feeling of growth and going back to Segunda División is a step backwards. The dressing room is broken. The supporters are hurting, sad, and looking for someone to blame. I consider myself the person most responsible for what has happened."
Asked to identify the turning point, Míchel pointed to a single result.
"The decisive match was against Juventus. We showed a great performance and lost it without deserving to. But we have to be proud of having brought the squad into Europe."
On the question of whether he had done enough to remain as head coach, he deflected with characteristic honesty.
"I feel very responsible. I won't do anything against Girona without having spoken with them."
Fabrizio Romano confirmed earlier this month that Ajax had held concrete talks with Míchel's camp, with Cruyff driving the process. The Dutch club need a permanent appointment after parting ways with Fred Grim and view Míchel's ability to develop young players and play attacking football as aligned with their identity.
Girona will lose a significant number of players this summer through the exit clauses that automatically trigger on relegation. The rebuild, whoever leads it, starts from scratch.