He spent over a decade atReal Madrid, making 561 competitive appearances during his spell while scoring 130 goals. He won several titles with the club, including sixLa Liga championships and twoUEFA Cups.[2]
The son of a footballer who had to retire from the game at 27 after aroad accident, Míchel was born inMadrid and joinedReal Madrid at the age of 13,[3] his technique and physicality on the pitch quickly standing out.[4] He moved quickly through the ranks to the first team, appearing – and scoring – once in the1981–82 season, through apenalty in a 2–1 away win overCD Castellón on 11 April 1982.[5]
In 1989, Míchel announced he would leave Real Madrid after having signed with an Italian side, but this never came to pass and he ended up staying until 1996. In hispenultimate season, he suffered a severeknee injury which rendered him unavailable for several months,[3] but still bounced back for afinal solid year, after which he left forAtlético Celaya inMexico – where Butragueño was also playing – shortly after the arrival at Madrid of presidentLorenzo Sanz. He retired from football in 1997.[4]
Míchel's career was not without incident: in 1988, he was hit by a bottle while on the pitch and, three years later, he was sanctioned byUEFA for using an unorthodox method of disrupting the concentration ofCarlos Valderrama, in a game againstReal Valladolid. The presiding judge in the case noted that "manipulating in public that of your neighbour which is a gift given exclusively to males by nature" violated a federation rule protecting a player's dignity.[7][8]
Míchel made his debut for theSpain national team on 20 November 1985 againstAustria,[9] going on to appear in a further 65 internationals and score 21 goals (only missed a callup due to injury).[10] He played in the1986[11] and the1990 FIFA World Cups, netting ahat-trick againstSouth Korea in Spain's second fixture during the latter tournament (3–1, famously shouting "I've earned this" after his last goal)[12][13] and also a penalty againstBelgium in the country's final group match.[14]
Shortly afterJavier Clemente's arrival as national boss, Míchel was deemed surplus to requirements and never called again, although only 29.[15] All national categories comprised, he received exactly 100 caps.[4]
Míchel was best known for his stellarcrossing ability, also contributing a fair share of goals. He was Real Madrid's all-time leadingassist provider for several years.[16][17][4]
In the summer of 2005, after working as asports commentator withRTVE after his retirement (still active, he had already worked in the capacity at the1994 World Cup) and also writing articles for Madrid'sMarca,[3] Míchel was appointed manager ofRayo Vallecano.[18] The following year he returned to hisalma mater as director of Real Madrid's sports city, the entire youth system, and manager duties at Real Madrid Castilla,[19] where he coached one of his sons,Adrián; under his management the sidedropped down a level intoSegunda División B and he was sacked, also leaving his post in the youth sides due to disagreements with presidentRamón Calderón.[20]
On 27 April 2009, Míchel was appointed as coach of top-flight strugglersGetafe CF until the end ofthe season. He replaced formerFC Barcelona midfielderVíctor Muñoz,[21] and also managed Adrián, helping the clubavoid relegation in the last matchday and renewing his contract for two more years the following week. He was relieved of his duties at the end of2010–11, with the team again managing to stay afloat after finishing 16th, just one point clear of the relegation zone.[22]
On 19 August 2015, Míchel succeededMarcelo Bielsa at the helm ofOlympique de Marseille.[28] He was sacked the following 19 April due to concerns over his behaviour, with the team ranking 15th inLigue 1.[29]
On 20 May 2019, Míchel was appointed atPumas UNAM of the MexicanLiga MX.[32] He resigned from office on 23 July 2020, due to personal and family issues.[33]
Míchel returned to Getafe on 27 May 2021, replacingValencia CF-boundJosé Bordalás.[34] Having gained just one point from eight games ofthe season, he was dismissed on 4 October.[35]
On 21 September 2022, Míchel returned to Olympiacos after seven years away, replacing compatriotCarlos Corberán.[36] He resigned on 3 April 2023 following a 2–2 draw withAris Thessaloniki F.C. despite being 2–0 up 20 minutes from time; he had allegedly lost the confidence of the board of directors and supporters due to his difficulties in handling the pressure of mounting a title challenge.[37]
^Fornieles, Raquel (28 August 2006)."Michel debutó en Castalia en el 82" [Michel made debut in Castalia in 82].Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved21 October 2024.
^G. Parajón, Marcos; Fernández R., Juanje (7 March 2017)."Míchel, nuevo entrenador del Málaga" [Míchel, new Málaga manager].Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved7 March 2017.
^"El Málaga se carga a Míchel" [Málaga oust Míchel] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 13 January 2018. Retrieved15 January 2018.