Girona FC’s Leadership Responds to Relegation: “Return to La Liga is the Only Priority”
Girona FC’s leadership has made clear there will be no distractions this summer: the club’s sole focus is returning to La Liga after its historic relegation from Spain’s top flight. In a press conference Wednesday, President Delfí Geli, Board Chairman Pere Guardiola, General Manager Ignasi Mas-Bagà, and Sporting Director Quique Cárcel outlined a stark financial reality that will reshape the club’s ambitions—and potentially its stadium future.
The Financial Reckoning
Relegation has halved Girona’s budget, according to verified club documents. While exact figures remain under review by La Liga’s financial control board, sources close to the club confirm the Estatut de l’Aficionats (fan association) has projected a €37 million budget for the 2025-26 season—down from approximately €74 million in La Liga. This reduction forces difficult choices:
- Player market: Transfer activity will be limited to high-impact signings, with no luxury spending on fringe players.
- Wage bill: Contract renegotiations are underway, with reports suggesting up to 20% wage reductions for key players unless commercial deals offset losses.
- Stadium plans: The €100 million+ new stadium project—originally slated for completion by 2027—now faces delays, with club officials admitting “the financial hit from relegation makes it impossible to maintain current timelines.”
Key verification: La Liga’s financial regulations (Article 102) require clubs relegated to Segunda División to submit a detailed economic plan by July 15, 2025. Girona’s submission is pending review by the league’s Financial Control Committee.
Stadium Plans: A Project in Limbo
The club’s long-discussed move from Estadi Montilivi (capacity: 13,800) remains uncertain. While minor upgrades to Montilivi will proceed this summer—including new locker rooms and improved media facilities—the new stadium’s future hinges on three critical factors:
- Funding: The €37 million budget leaves no room for stadium construction costs. Club officials confirmed no groundbreaking will occur until at least 2026, with potential delays until 2028.
- Location: Sources indicate the club is evaluating three alternative sites within a 5km radius of Girona city center, including:
- Former industrial zone near the Onyar River (preferred for urban integration)
- Expansion of the current Montilivi footprint (least likely due to geological constraints)
- Greenfield site near the AP-7 highway (fastest to develop but highest environmental impact)
- Promotion contingency: If Girona returns to La Liga in 2026, the stadium project could accelerate—but only if commercial partners (like Girona FC’s official sponsors) commit additional funding.
Expert perspective: “The new stadium was always a long-term play, but relegation turns it from a ‘when’ question to a ‘if’ question,” said Jordi Moya, a Catalan sports economist. “Clubs like Eibar proved you can succeed in Segunda with a 20,000-seat stadium, but Girona’s brand demands more.”
The Promotion Plan: Tactics Over Trofeus
Sporting Director Quique Cárcel—who joined from Deportivo La Coruña in 2023—outlined a three-pronged approach:
1. Squad Construction
Priorities:
- Goalkeepers: Signing a proven #1 (targets include La Liga veterans like Marc-André ter Stegen or Thibaut Courtois on reduced deals).
- Defensive midfield: Replacing Álvaro Fidalgo (free agent in 2025) with a ball-winning presence.
- Wingers: Youth academy products (like Álex Martínez, 19) will get first opportunities.
2. Tactical Identity
Head Coach Míchel (who extended his contract through 2027) confirmed a return to the 4-3-3 system that served Girona well in La Liga’s 2023-24 playoff run. “We’ll play with higher pressing blocks and direct transitions,” he said. “The key is to control possession in the final third while exploiting counterattacks.”
3. Commercial Levers
With matchday revenue dropping from €12M/year in La Liga to €3M in Segunda, the club is pursuing:
Fan Reactions: Between Resilience and Resentment
While the club’s message resonated with many supporters, social media revealed a spectrum of responses:
“Girona always punches above its weight. If anyone can bounce back, it’s us. @GironaFC let’s go!”
“€37M budget for promotion? That’s less than what we spent on one summer signing last year. How are we supposed to compete?”
Club officials acknowledged the frustration, with President Geli stating: “We understand the disappointment. But this is a reality we must face together. The alternative—financial collapse—would hurt everyone more.”
What’s Next: The 2025-26 Season Preview
Girona’s first official action in Segunda División will be the 2025-26 season opener, with the club scheduled to host Albacete Balompié on August 24, 2025, at 18:00 CET (16:00 UTC). Key dates:
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| July 15, 2025 | La Liga Financial Plan Submission | Club must submit economic viability report to league |
| July 20–31, 2025 | Pre-season Training Camp | Base in Girona with youth academy integration |
| August 10, 2025 | First Team Friendly | vs. UE Figueres (local derby) |
| August 24, 2025 | Season Opener | Girona vs. Albacete (Montilivi, 18:00 CET) |
Note: The Segunda División operates on a 42-game round-robin format. Promotion is determined by final standings, with the top two teams earning direct spots in La Liga and the 3rd–6th teams competing in playoffs.
Key Takeaways
- Financial reality: Girona’s €37M budget forces austerity, with stadium plans and transfer market activity severely limited.
- Promotion focus: The club will prioritize a compact, high-pressing squad with 3–5 key signings over luxury spending.
- Stadium uncertainty: No new stadium announcement is expected until at least 2026, with location decisions pending.
- Fan engagement: Commercial partnerships and membership programs will be critical to bridging the revenue gap.
- Tactical shift: Míchel’s return to 4-3-3 signals a focus on possession and counterattacks.
- Timeline: The earliest possible return to La Liga would be 2027, but 2026 remains the stated goal.
FAQ: Girona’s Relegation and Promotion Plan
Q: How does Girona’s budget compare to other Segunda División clubs?
A: Girona’s €37M budget is below the Segunda División average of €45M but higher than clubs like UD Almería (€32M) and Racing Santander (€30M). However, it’s half of Girona’s La Liga budget, forcing significant cuts.
Q: Could Girona sell players to fund promotion?
A: Unlikely. Club officials confirmed they will not sell any core players (like Martín Oyarzabal or Nicolás Martínez) to preserve squad depth. “We learned from 2020,” said Cárcel, referring to the club’s financial struggles after selling key players during COVID.
Q: What are Girona’s promotion odds?
A: Bookmakers currently give Girona 12/1 odds for promotion (as of June 12, 2025), behind Deportivo (5/1) and Almería (7/1). “We’re underdogs, but we’ve beaten bigger clubs before,” said Cárcel.
Girona’s path back to La Liga will be one of Spain’s most compelling stories this season. Follow Archysport’s coverage for real-time updates on transfers, tactical developments, and financial maneuvers. And join the conversation: Will Girona defy the odds, or will this be a two-year exile?
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