Ajax confirmed this Tuesday the signing of Míchel Sánchez as their new coach. The Madrid-born coach, who has just closed his chapter at Girona after five seasons, will lead the Amsterdam team for the next two campaigns, until the summer of 2028.
The announcement puts an end to weeks of speculation. The coach himself appeared before the media of his new club and expressed his satisfaction with the challenge ahead. “Ajax is a big name in Europe, a club that has always bet on young and talented players,” he said. “The goal is to bring the club back to its rightful place, and I have full confidence that we will achieve it.”
Jordi Cruyff, Ajax’s technical director and son of the legendary Johan Cruyff, led the negotiations and expressed confidence in the suitability of the signing. “Míchel is ambitious and demanding. I know him well, I have followed him for many years and his way of understanding football fits with who we are,” he said. “The fact that he has worked at the same LaLiga club for five seasons says a lot about his character and loyalty.”
Ajax has reached an agreement with Miguel Ángel Sánchez Muñoz, commonly known as Míchel, on his move to Amsterdam. Míchel has signed a contract as head coach for two seasons, running until June 30, 2028.
Welcome, Míchel 🇪🇸
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) June 2, 2026
Míchel’s arrival at Ajax comes after one of the most bitter moments of his career. Girona, which in recent years had surprised in LaLiga even competing in the Champions League, could not maintain their status this season. The Catalan team went eight games without winning in the final stretch of the championship and confirmed relegation in front of their fans in the last home game.
Despite the bittersweet ending, Míchel’s record at Girona has earned him a considerable reputation in European football. His offensive and dynamic approach caught attention beyond Spanish borders, and Ajax has seen in him the ideal profile to start a new era. The Dutch club is going through a rebuilding phase: in recent years it has lost ground in the Eredivisie to PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord, and has not competed in the top European competition for some time.
The Vallecano coach will have to adapt to a different league and work with a squad that Cruyff himself has promised to strengthen during the summer transfer window. The club, historically linked to its youth academy and a football identity, is precisely the kind of project that fits the coach’s philosophy.
