• Michel wants to sign Marc-André ter Stegen after becoming the new Ajax coach.
• The pair worked together at Girona during the previous campaign.
• Ter Stegen faces an uncertain future at Barcelona under manager Hansi Flick.
• Ajax will compete in the UEFA Conference League next season.
• Michel leaves Girona following their relegation from La Liga.

Michel has set his sights on a reunion with Marc-André ter Stegen after taking charge of Ajax. The 50-year-old Spaniard left Girona following a five-year spell and now heads to the Eredivisie.

Spanish newspapers Mundo Deportivo and Sport claim Michel wants to bring the German shot-stopper to Amsterdam. The duo briefly worked together at Girona in the second half of last term, though a hamstring injury restricted the keeper to just two matches.

Girona ended the season in 19th place and dropped to the second tier despite competing in this season’s Champions League. This new job marks Michel’s first role outside his home country as both a player and a manager.

Ter Stegen, aged 34, remains tied to Barcelona until 2028. However, he does not fit into the plans of manager Hansi Flick. The long-standing injury also ruled him out of the World Cup.

Ajax secured their spot in the Conference League after beating Utrecht on penalties in the playoff final. They need a new goalkeeper following Diant Ramaj’s move to Borussia Dortmund.

• Crystal Palace win first European trophy with 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig
• Jean-Philippe Mateta scores decisive goal seven minutes after half-time
• Rayo Vallecano dominate possession but fail to convert clear chances
• Oliver Glasner’s tactical discipline ends Inigo Perez’s European fairytale

Crystal Palace have won the UEFA Conference League. The Premier League club beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the final on Wednesday night in Leipzig, Germany.

The Eagles lifted their first European trophy thanks to a goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta. The striker reacted quickly to a rebound early in the second half and found the net.

The first half was tense but goalless. Both teams played with caution and made few mistakes. Rayo had the best chance after 24 minutes when Alemao shot wide. Palace came close just before the break when Tyrick Mitchell headed over the bar.

After the interval, Palace attacked with more speed. Mateta struck in the 52nd minute after the Rayo goalkeeper saved the initial shot. The goal gave the English side control of the match.

Rayo tried to find an equaliser in the final 20 minutes. Jorge de Frutos hit the side-netting and Andrei Ratiu forced a good save from Dean Henderson. However, the Spanish club could not break down the Palace defence.

Yeremy Pino almost made it 2-0 for Palace. His free-kick hit the post twice late in the game. Oliver Glasner’s team then slowed the pace and managed the game professionally until the final whistle.

The victory marks a historic moment for Crystal Palace. It is their first major European title. Rayo Vallecano must settle for runners-up medals after an impressive journey to the final.

• Rayo Vallecano suffered a 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League final
• Manager Inigo Perez became emotional when speaking about the supporters’ reaction to the loss
• Fans unveiled a banner stating their pride in the team despite the defeat
• Perez refused to answer questions regarding his future at the Spanish club
• The Rayo boss admitted Crystal Palace were the better side on the night

Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez fought back tears as he faced the media following his team’s narrow defeat in the UEFA Conference League final. The Spanish side lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace in a tense clash, leaving the Vallecas club without European silverware.

Perez entered the press conference to warm applause but struggled to contain his emotions. He explained that watching supporters cry after the match caused him deep pain. The coach stated that seeing the fans’ disappointment breaks your spirit, even though the supporters themselves tried to lift the players’ morale.

The Rayo faithful displayed a powerful message of solidarity at full-time. They raised a banner which read: “The greatest victory, was being with you in defeat.” This gesture touched Perez deeply. He noted that the fans demand strength yet offer unwavering support during difficult moments.

The manager rejected suggestions that this result represented a failure of the club’s philosophy. He insisted that Rayo Vallecano’s true character shows in daily life at the training ground and in the local community, not just in cup finals. Perez emphasized that the neighbourhood and the fans remain the driving force behind everything the club achieves.

Regarding the match itself, Perez showed grace in defeat. He accepted that Crystal Palace deserved their victory. The winning goal came from an isolated attacking move that shocked his team. Although Rayo Vallecano recovered their composure after conceding, they could not find an equaliser. Perez admitted his team never reached their usual high standards during the 90 minutes.

When journalists asked about his personal future, Perez declined to comment. He called it unfair to discuss such matters immediately after the final whistle. However, he praised his squad’s togetherness, describing them as genuine friends who protect one another.

The defeat ends a memorable European campaign for the Madrid-based club. Perez remains proud of his players’ efforts throughout the season, though the final result leaves a bitter taste for everyone connected with Rayo Vallecano.

• Club president Marc Keller confirms that Gary O’Neil will stay in his role as manager.
• Strasbourg finished eighth in Ligue 1 and will not compete in European football next season.
• The English boss joined the club in January after Liam Rosenior left for Chelsea.
• The team lost in the semi-finals of both the Coupe de France and the UEFA Conference League.
• Reports about a possible replacement have now been dismissed by the club’s leadership.

RC Strasbourg Alsace have announced that Gary O’Neil will continue as their manager. Club president Marc Keller gave this confirmation to DNA Sports.

O’Neil joined the French side in January this year. He replaced Liam Rosenior, who moved to Chelsea. The team has struggled to find form since then. They finished eighth in the Ligue 1 table. This result means they miss out on all European competitions next season.

The club also failed to win any silverware. They lost in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France. They also exited the UEFA Conference League at the same stage. Earlier this month, some reports claimed the club wanted to replace O’Neil. Journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter stated that Strasbourg were interested in manager Luis Felipe. However, Keller has now ended this speculation.

“We are very happy with Gary’s work,” Keller said. “He is very happy at Le Racing. He is committed, motivated, and has already started preparing the squad for next season. We must raise our standards because other teams in the top eight are moving forward quickly.”

These comments mean O’Neil will keep his job. He will now focus on rebuilding the squad for the upcoming campaign.

• Oliver Glasner reveals plans to visit Basque Country to study successful Spanish coaching methods
• Crystal Palace boss preparing for final match in charge against Rayo Vallecano in UEFA Conference League final
• Midfielder Adam Wharton and defender Chris Richards train despite injury doubts ahead of Wednesday’s clash
• Austrian coach insists Eagles are relaxed after completing tactical preparations last week
• Glasner defends earlier disagreements with squad as necessary for winning trophies

Oliver Glasner will travel to the Basque Country this summer to investigate why so many top coaches come from this region. The Crystal Palace boss revealed his plans while speaking before his final match in charge against Rayo Vallecano.

The Austrian will guide the Eagles into their first ever European final on Wednesday evening. This UEFA Conference League showdown in Bilbao represents his last game at Selhurst Park. During his time in London, Glasner has lifted both the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

The departing manager hopes to add the Conference League trophy to his collection. He praised the commitment shown by his squad and backroom staff across the campaign. “When you see the effort from everyone this season, winning would mean so much,” he stated. “It would create a fantastic ending. However, this is football and sport. You cannot predict what will happen. We must simply enjoy the experience.”

Glasner maintains a calm approach towards the historic fixture. He confirmed that his team finished their tactical preparation during the previous week. The coaching staff screened videos of their Spanish opponents for the players. They studied how Vallecano operate with various defensive formations.

“We cannot complete any new preparation tomorrow,” Glasner explained. “We began our tactical meetings seven days ago. The players watched footage of Vallecano using three or four defenders at the back. We examined their style with high possession and low possession.”

The 50-year-old wants his squad to remain relaxed before the late kick-off at 21:00 local time. He particularly enjoys observing the players during head tennis sessions. “They play like children. It brings me great joy,” he said. “These moments show the unity within the group. I hope they are smiling tomorrow rather than being nervous and quiet. When they express themselves freely, we maximise our chances.”

Reporters questioned Glasner about the Basque coaching phenomenon producing figures like Unai Emery, Mikel Arteta, Andoni Iraola and Inigo Perez. The Palace boss responded with humour: “I will visit this summer to discover their methods. I want to know what food they eat. The region clearly produces something special.”

Two important Palace stars face fitness tests before the final. Midfielder Adam Wharton and defender Chris Richards both carried injury worries into the week. Nevertheless, both men completed the full training session on Tuesday morning. Glasner explained that the medical team will monitor them constantly.

“It is positive that both players completed training today,” he noted. “There are 36 hours between now and kick-off. The medical department will work late into the night and return early tomorrow. I will only pick athletes who are completely fit. If doubts remain, I will select another player for the starting eleven.”

Earlier this season, speculation suggested Glasner might exit before the campaign concluded. The manager defended the difficult periods by explaining that conflict drives success. He actually encourages players to question his decisions.

“December and January presented challenges,” he admitted. “But we needed to secure our league status and concentrate on Europe. External noise exceeded internal problems. If athletes simply agree with everything, you cannot develop. When players challenge my ideas, it forces me to improve. This process brings trophies.”

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson joked that he would never disagree with the Austrian. The general atmosphere inside the camp appears positive and stress-free. Palace secured their Premier League safety early, allowing full focus on continental glory.

• Rayo Vallecano face Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday night.
• Manager Iñigo Pérez demands his team honour the Vallecas community and ignore outside distractions.
• Club captain Óscar Trejo will play his final match after ten years of service across two spells.
• Both clubs are hunting for their first-ever European trophy at the Leipzig Arena.
• Thousands of Rayo fans have travelled to Germany, with more watching on big screens back home.

Rayo Vallecano boss Iñigo Pérez has instructed his squad to focus on their roots. He wants them to represent the Vallecas neighbourhood when they battle Crystal Palace for the UEFA Conference League trophy.

The Spanish team trained at the Leipzig Arena on Tuesday. They arrived in Germany on Monday evening. Pérez hopes his players can block out the noise surrounding the final.

“We will face things we do not normally experience,” he explained. “We must ignore the attention and accept every situation. It is vital we keep our identity. That will give us the best chance.”

The manager refuses to demand victory from his players. Instead, he asks them to repeat the performances that brought them this far.

“There is only one step left,” Pérez added. “I do not like saying ‘we must win.’ I cannot put that pressure on them. If they stick to their usual routines, they will feel calm and confident.”

Pérez believes representing their working-class district matters more than the result itself. He feels this approach will guide them toward success.

“We must think about Vallecas and our supporters,” he stated. “If we show our usual spirit, we will be on the right path. We cannot control the score, but we can control our attitude. We must ignore comparisons that are only for marketing.”

The club expects its largest ever away following in Leipzig. Back in Madrid, supporters queued for hours to enter the stadium and watch the match on giant screens.

“I have felt this all season,” Pérez said. “You owe an emotional debt to these fans. You feel responsible for making them proud. That matters more than the result. I hope our style of play matches what we have achieved so far.”

The Rayo manager sees similarities between his team and their English opponents. He notes both sides value hard work, though they play different systems.

“We share characteristics,” he observed. “We both understand sacrifice, even if our tactics differ. We both put the team first. When two groups like this meet, the collision is powerful. If we could have chosen our opponents at the start, we would have picked them.”

Pérez admits he feels more pressure than his players. He worries about giving them clear instructions.

“I feel the weight of making sure they understand the plan,” he confessed. “Until yesterday, I was absorbed by that. Now it is down to the players. As a player, you feel the stimuli directly. Both jobs carry responsibility, but tonight belongs to the players.”

Midfielder Óscar Trejo will wear the Rayo shirt for the last time. He has served the club for a decade across two separate periods. He described the occasion as magical.

“Tomorrow, a group of friends will play together,” Trejo said. “The journey has been hard. When we started, we did not know how long it would continue. We must give everything and enjoy the moment.”

Trejo wants to create happy memories for the travelling supporters.

“I am grateful for this moment and for my teammates,” he added. “There will be nerves, but we should enjoy this. The fans deserve happiness.”

Both clubs seek their maiden international honour. For Rayo, it would be their first major trophy in history. The club wants to enjoy the occasion rather than fear it.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner also appeared relaxed. He stated his team were satisfied with their preparation.

• Getafe clinch 7th place and a UEFA Conference League spot under José Bordalás despite making a €38 million profit in the transfer market.
• Girona FC drop to the Segunda División after a nine-point swing in the final weeks, leaving manager Michel Sánchez devastated.
• Espanyol forward Pere Milla produces a Dennis Bergkamp-inspired turn and assist against Real Sociedad.
• Getafe boast the third-best defence in La Liga, conceding only 38 goals all season.
• Girona’s relegation came down to fine margins, including a crucial injury to top scorer Vladyslav Vanat and Thomas Lemar hitting the crossbar.

Spain’s top flight delivered a dramatic final week filled with contrasting emotions. From unexpected triumph to painful failure, the closing matches provided stories that will echo through the summer.

The Good: Getafe’s Unlikely Triumph

José Bordalás has worked a minor miracle in southern Madrid. Getafe will compete in European football next season after securing seventh place and a Conference League berth. This achievement defies financial logic. The club has operated at a profit of €38 million during Bordalás’s current spell. They have spent less money than many teams pay for a single player.

The English press often compares Getafe to Tony Pulis’s Stoke City side from the late 2000s. Both teams play physical football and make life uncomfortable for opponents. However, the financial comparison ends there. Stoke spent more in their first Premier League transfer window than Getafe have spent throughout Bordalás’s entire second term at the club.

The results speak for themselves. Only Real Madrid and Barcelona conceded fewer than Getafe’s 38 goals this term. Los Azulones won 15 matches despite scoring just 32 goals. Only bottom-placed Real Oviedo found the net fewer times. This defensive steel has carried them to Europe.

The bond between the manager and supporters runs deep. Fans invaded the pitch after the final whistle to celebrate with their heroes. They sang “Bordalás, I love you” with passion. The city has officially named him an adopted son. While players like Luis Milla and Djene Dakonam provide quality on the pitch, everyone knows Bordalás is the true captain steering the ship.

The Bad: Girona’s Cruel Demise

While Getafe celebrated, Girona faced despair. The Catalan club suffered relegation to the second tier despite possessing a squad good enough for top-flight survival. Manager Michel Sánchez admitted he felt guilty and responsible for “failing his people.”

The margins were brutally thin. When striker Vladyslav Vanat suffered an injury in April, Girona’s season collapsed. They failed to win any of their final eight matches, collecting just four points from a possible 24. Without their main goal threat, the attack dried up. They scored more than once in only one of those games.

Opportunities came and went. Thomas Lemar struck the crossbar with ten minutes remaining in a crucial match. Veteran captain Cristhian Stuani, now 39 years old, battled fitness issues but still had to lead the line. The squad lacked the depth to survive without key players fit.

Michel posted an emotional message on social media two days after the final match. He spoke of enormous sadness and emptiness. He promised the club would return to the elite because “Girona is immortal.” For now, however, the pain of dropping down a level will linger.

The Beautiful: Milla’s Moment of Genius

Amidst the tension, one moment provided pure joy. Espanyol’s Pere Milla produced a piece of skill that will live long in the memory. Playing against Real Sociedad, the 33-year-old received the ball with his back to goal. Two defenders closed in. What happened next was magical.

Milla executed a perfect drag-back and turn, reminiscent of Dennis Bergkamp’s famous goal for Arsenal against Newcastle United. He spun away from Igor Zubeldia and left Benat Turrientes behind. Unfortunately, more defenders blocked his path to goal. Rather than forcing a shot, he showed awareness to slide the ball across to Roberto Fernandez, who scored.

The goal sealed the moment, but the turn was the story. It reminded supporters why they love this sport. Even in dead rubbers, individual brilliance can light up the pitch. For Milla, born far from the bright lights in rural Catalonia, it was a dream moment that connected him to one of the Premier League’s most iconic goals.

• Getafe beat Osasuna 1-0 at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez on the final day of the La Liga season
• Luis Milla scored the decisive goal in the second half to secure Conference League qualification
• Allan Nyom made a crucial last-ditch tackle on Ante Budimir to preserve the victory
• Osasuna survived relegation despite the loss after Rayo Vallecano defeated Alaves
• Manager Jose Bordalas led Getafe to European football despite starting the campaign with only 13 players

Jose Bordalas has performed a football miracle at Getafe. His side secured a place in the UEFA Conference League after beating Osasuna 1-0 in a tense final-day clash.

Both teams entered the match with high stakes. Getafe needed victory to guarantee European qualification. Osasuna required points to ensure their survival in the top flight. The tension was visible from the first whistle.

The opening period was cautious. Osasuna created the first clear chance when Raul Garcia de Haro broke through the defence. However, Getafe keeper David Soria made a smart save to keep the scores level. The first half ended goalless with both sides afraid to commit errors.

The breakthrough came after the hour mark. Luis Milla received the ball at the edge of the penalty area. His strike took a heavy deflection off defender Alejandro Catena. The changed direction wrong-footed goalkeeper Sergio Herrera. The ball nestled in the net. The home supporters chanted “Milla, stay” in what may be the midfielder’s farewell appearance.

Osasuna pressed for an equaliser as the clock ticked down. They needed a goal to control their own destiny. Manager Alessio Lisci watched with growing frustration as his team struggled to create clear openings. Getafe defended with discipline and looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

The defining moment arrived late in the match. Ante Budimir found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The Osasuna striker seemed certain to score. Veteran defender Allan Nyom produced a perfectly timed tackle to stop the shot. The 38-year-old immediately seized the ball and roared to the cheering fans.

When the final whistle blew, both sets of players celebrated. Getafe will compete in Europe for the first time in six years. Osasuna discovered they had avoided relegation because Rayo Vallecano took the lead against Alaves. Bordalas has achieved something remarkable with limited resources. His team started the season with just thirteen available players. They finished it with thousands of supporters invading the pitch to celebrate their return to continental competition.

• Valencia defeat Barcelona 3-1 in final La Liga match of the season
• Victory fails to secure UEFA Conference League qualification for Los Che
• Robert Lewandowski scores on his farewell appearance for Barcelona
• Hosts fight back from 1-0 down with three second-half goals
• Both teams now turn attention to summer transfer window

Valencia produced a remarkable fightback to defeat Barcelona 3-1 at the Mestalla on Sunday evening. However, this impressive victory proved insufficient to secure a place in next season’s UEFA Conference League.

Ruben Baraja’s squad entered the match requiring three points to climb into seventh position. Sadly for the home supporters, other results elsewhere meant this single win could not lift them into the European qualification places.

The first half offered little excitement for fans of either side. Both teams struggled to create clear chances, and they reached the break with the score level at nil-all.

The match sprang to life after the hour mark. Barcelona took the lead when Robert Lewandowski diverted Ferran Torres’ strike into the net. The Polish striker celebrated scoring on his farewell appearance for the Catalan giants.

Valencia responded almost immediately. Javi Guerra capitalised on a mistake by substitute Xavi Espart to level the scores. Moments later, Luis Rioja sent the home crowd wild with a calm finish past Wojciech Szczesny at the goalkeeper’s near post.

The visitors searched for an equaliser, but Andreas Christensen saw his header brilliantly stopped by Stole Dimitrievski. Deep into added time, Guido Rodriguez sealed the result with a third goal for the hosts.

While Valencia can take pride in ending their campaign with such a strong performance, they must settle for a mid-table finish. The club secured their top-flight status last weekend, yet their push for continental competition ended in disappointment.

Barcelona, meanwhile, can look back on a successful season despite this final-day defeat. The focus now shifts to the summer transfer window, where coach Hansi Flick hopes to strengthen his squad with new signings.

• Rayo Vallecano stars donated thousands of euros to help fans cheated by bogus travel agents
• Fraudsters sold fake €250 flight and bus packages to the UEFA Conference League final in Germany
• Captain Oscar Valentin, Sergio Camello, Andrei Ratiu and Dani Cardenas led the player fundraising
• The Madrid club face Crystal Palace in Leipzig next Wednesday for their first major trophy
• Fans also crowdfunded €1,034 in two hours to help an 80-year-old supporter attend the match

Players from Rayo Vallecano have shown remarkable solidarity by using their own money to help supporters who fell victim to fraudsters. The fans had paid for travel to the UEFA Conference League final in Germany, only to discover the travel company was a scam.

The fraud offered supporters a deal of €250 for flights and buses to Leipzig. Many fans paid this money, but the company vanished with their cash. One supporter explained the situation on social media and appealed to the squad for help.

Club captain Oscar Valentin saw the message and responded immediately. Shortly after, several players sent funds to help the victims. Goalkeeper Dani Cardenas gave €400, right-back Andrei Ratiu donated €1,000, and forward Sergio Camello contributed €2,000 to the cause.

This is not the first time the Rayo community has rallied together this week. Earlier, fans raised over €1,034 in just two hours to help an 80-year-old supporter named Enrique. He had also lost money on a bus trip to the final. The supporters used a crowdfunding page to buy him a seat on a chartered flight instead.

Rayo Vallecano will clash with Crystal Palace in Leipzig next Wednesday. The small Madrid-based club has shocked European football by reaching their first continental final in only their second campaign. They eliminated sides like Strasbourg and AEK Athens to secure their place.

The final promises to be a historic occasion for the club from Vallecas. They hope to lift their first major piece of silverware in history.