[4] After a loan to UD Almería in the Segunda División,[5] Míchel returned to Rayo, being essential as the capital outskirts side finished ninth in 1999–2000 and qualified for the subsequent UEFA Cup through fair play.

[6] The following campaign, he scored a career-best ten times in 33 games (all starts) as they ranked 14th; he added six goals in the UEFA Cup, in a run that ended in the quarter-finals at the hands of fellow La Liga club Deportivo Alavés.

[11] On 9 July 2012, after having appeared in only nine games as Rayo retained their league status – just 246 minutes of action – the 36-year-old Míchel retired from football, being immediately appointed coach of his main club's youth sides.

[12] On 21 February 2017, he replaced Rubén Baraja at the helm of the first team,[13] debuting four days later with a 1–0 loss at neighbours Getafe CF via a last-minute own goal by Chechu Dorado;[14] the side eventually achieved promotion to the top division in the 2017–18 campaign as champions.

[27] In his spell as Girona manager, Michel was noted for utilising a low build-up style in a 3–3–1–3 formation, with principles such as the goalkeeper playing as a center-back and a diamond midfield.