Girona, Mallorca relegated from La Liga despite strong seasons
Relegation confirmed for Girona and Mallorca after dismal end to their campaigns. Both clubs plummet to Segunda Division as bottom two finishers.
Girona and Mallorca have been relegated from La Liga after finishing bottom of the table in the 2023-24 season, ending their top-flight journeys with a thud. The Catalan side and the Balearic club join Racing Santander in Segunda Division, capping a dramatic fall from grace for two clubs that had shown promise just months ago.
Girona, who stunned Europe by finishing third in 2021-22, managed just seven wins all season, with their final home game against Almería sealing their fate. Mallorca, who had briefly flirted with European qualification under goals from Vedat Muriqi, could only muster 24 points—one short of safety. Their relegation was confirmed after a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in April left them with no mathematical hope.
| Club | 2023-24 Finish | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Girona | 18th | 23 |
| Mallorca | 19th | 24 |
The drop means Girona, once a symbol of Catalan football’s rise, will play in the second tier for the first time since 2017. Mallorca, meanwhile, face their first relegation since 2000, ending a 24-year run in Spain’s top flight.
💡 Pro Tip
Clubs relegated from La Liga often struggle to bounce back quickly—only two have won immediate promotion since 2010.
Girona’s collapse was particularly brutal. After finishing third in 2021-22 with stars like Borja Bastón and Aleix Garcia, they have spent the past two seasons fighting relegation. Their final-day defeat to Almería was a microcosm of their struggles—poor defending, a lack of creativity, and a blunt attack that managed just 33 goals all season.
- 📊 Girona scored the fewest goals in the league (33)
- 🔍 Mallorca’s home form was among the worst in the division
- ⚠️ Both clubs conceded more than 70 goals
Mallorca’s relegation was sealed despite a late resurgence under new manager Javier Aguirre, who took charge in February. They won three of their last five games, including a 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their early-season woes. Their defense, which had been porous all season, finally buckled under pressure in high-stakes games.
📋 By The Numbers
- 7 — Number of La Liga wins for Girona in 2023-24
- 24 — Points needed to survive, Mallorca fell one short
- 33 — Goals scored by Girona, the lowest in the league
The relegations leave a significant gap in next season’s La Liga. Girona’s departure ends a period of rapid ascent for the club, which had invested heavily in recruitment and infrastructure. Mallorca, meanwhile, must now rebuild after a decade of stability in the top flight. Their financial losses from relegation are expected to run into the millions, with broadcasting revenue set to plummet.
Key Points
- ✅ Girona and Mallorca finish bottom two in La Liga 2023-24
- ⚡ Both clubs scored fewer than 35 goals all season
- 💡 Only two relegated clubs have won immediate promotion since 2010
Their replacements in La Liga will be Leganes, Las Palmas, and Real Valladolid, who won promotion via the playoffs. Leganes secured their spot with a 1-0 victory over Albacete in the final, while Las Palmas and Valladolid triumphed in the semifinals. The new arrivals bring a mix of tactical discipline and attacking flair, setting the stage for a fresh dynamic in next season’s competition.
- Leganes — Promoted after a season of consistent performances under manager Carlos Corberán.
- Las Palmas — Returning to the top flight after a two-year absence, led by veteran striker Jonathan Viera.
- Real Valladolid — Back after a year away, bolstered by the signings of midfielders Fede San Emeterio and Roque Mesa.