Michu
{{Short description|Spanish footballer (born 1986)}}
{{about|the Spanish footballer}}
{{family name hatnote|Pérez|Cuesta|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Michu
| image = Michu 2013.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Michu training with Swansea City in 2013
| fullname = Miguel Pérez Cuesta{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/aug/premier-league-squad-numbers-seasons-2013-14.html|title=Barclays Premier League squad numbers 2013/14|publisher=Premier League|date=16 August 2013|access-date=17 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821225359/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/aug/premier-league-squad-numbers-seasons-2013-14.html|archive-date=21 August 2013}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|3|21|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/michu_prs214802/person.shtml|title=Michu|publisher=Eurosport|access-date=18 October 2020}}
| birth_place = Oviedo, Spain
| position = Forward, attacking midfielder
| currentclub = Burgos (director of football)
| youthyears1 = 1994–2003 | youthclubs1 = Oviedo
| years1 = 2003–2007 | clubs1 = Oviedo | caps1 = 95 | goals1 = 13
| years2 = 2007–2008 | clubs2 = Celta B | caps2 = 28 | goals2 = 10
| years3 = 2008–2011 | clubs3 = Celta | caps3 = 101 | goals3 = 14
| years4 = 2011–2012 | clubs4 = Rayo Vallecano | caps4 = 37 | goals4 = 15
| years5 = 2012–2015 | clubs5 = Swansea City | caps5 = 52 | goals5 = 20
| years6 = 2014–2015 | clubs6 = → Napoli (loan) | caps6 = 3 | goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2015–2016 | clubs7 = Langreo | caps7 = 13 | goals7 = 10
| years8 = 2016–2017 | clubs8 = Oviedo | caps8 = 27 | goals8 = 1
| totalcaps = 356 | totalgoals = 83
| nationalyears1 = 2013 | nationalteam1 = Spain | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2024 | managerclubs1 = Burgos (caretaker)
}}
Miguel Pérez Cuesta (born 21 March 1986), known as Michu ({{IPA|es|ˈmitʃu}}), is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a forward or attacking midfielder. He is the current director of football of Burgos CF.
He started playing for Real Oviedo, subsequently representing Celta and Rayo Vallecano, making his La Liga debut with the latter in 2011–12. In 2012 he signed with Swansea City, scoring 22 goals in all competitions in his first season and winning the League Cup.
Despite performances that earned him an international debut for Spain in 2013, Michu fell out of favour at Swansea due to several injury problems, being loaned to Napoli and released in November 2015. He appeared for Langreo and Oviedo before retiring.
Club career
=Oviedo and Celta=
File:Miguel Pérez Cuesta, Celta de Vigo 2009.jpg
Michu was born in Oviedo, Asturias.{{cite news|url=https://www.lne.es/deportes/2015/07/14/entrenador-swansea-confirma-michu-volvera-19766096.html|title=El entrenador del Swansea confirma que Michu no volverá a jugar con el equipo|trans-title=Swansea manager confirms Michu will not play with team again|newspaper=La Nueva España|language=es|date=14 July 2015|access-date=24 January 2023}} After beginning with local Real Oviedo in the lower leagues, he moved to Celta de Vigo B of Segunda División B in the middle of 2007; midway through his first season he received his maiden first-team callup, eventually finishing in the starting XI of the Segunda División side.{{cite news|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/deportes/2008/04/25/celta-inicia-proyecto-futuro-atando-michu-ano-2011/0003_6763582.htm|title=El Celta inicia su proyecto de futuro atando a Michu hasta el año 2011|trans-title=Celta start their project for the future by tying Michu until the year 2011|newspaper=La Voz de Galicia|first=X.R.|last=Castro|language=es|date=25 April 2008|access-date=24 January 2023}}
In mid-January 2010, a transfer to La Liga with Sporting de Gijón in order to replace Birmingham City-bound Míchel was almost arranged, but it eventually fell through and Michu stayed at Celta.{{cite news|url=http://www.farodevigo.es/deportes/2010/01/16/michu-ira-sporting-gijon/403393.html|title=Michu no irá al Sporting de Gijón|trans-title=Michu will not go to Sporting de Gijón|newspaper=Faro de Vigo|language=es|date=16 January 2010|access-date=9 June 2011}} In his last two second-tier campaigns, he totalled 12 goals for the Galicians.{{cite news|url=https://www.noticiasdenavarra.com/osasuna/2011/11/20/repente-michu-3304443.html|title=De repente, Michu|trans-title=All of a sudden, Michu|newspaper=Noticias de Navarra|language=es|date=20 November 2011|access-date=24 January 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fameceleste.com/2012/11/michu-un-giganton-asturiano-con-mucha.html|title=Michu: Un gigantón asturiano con mucha clase.|trans-title=Michu: Asturian tower with a lot of class.|publisher=Fame Celeste|first=Txema|last=Ereaga|language=es|date=24 November 2012|access-date=24 January 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124153906/https://www.fameceleste.com/2012/11/michu-un-giganton-asturiano-con-mucha.html|archive-date=24 January 2023}}
On 8 June 2011, after helping the club to sixth position in the regular season, Michu netted the game's only goal in the first leg of the promotion play-offs against Granada CF, at home;{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/marcador/futbol/2010_11/promocion_ascenso/semifinal/ida/cel_gda/|title=Michu salió del banquillo para poner al Celta en el buen camino|trans-title=Michu came from the bench to lead the way for Celta|newspaper=Marca|first=Gregorio|last=García|language=es|date=8 June 2011|access-date=9 June 2011}} in the second leg, however, he missed his penalty shootout attempt and his team was eliminated (5–4).{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2011/06/12/actualidad/1307863312_850215.html|title=Agonía en Los Cármenes|trans-title=Agony at Los Cármenes|newspaper=El País|language=es|date=12 June 2011|access-date=24 January 2023}}
=Rayo Vallecano=
File:(Michu) Espanyol v Rayo Vallecano - 8671767295 (cropped).jpg in March 2012]]
On 27 July 2011, after his contract with Celta expired, Michu signed a two-year deal with Rayo Vallecano, newly promoted to the top division.{{cite web|url=http://www.esfutbol.net/?action=read&idnotizia=59818|title=Rayo Vallecano: acuerdo con Michu|trans-title=Rayo Vallecano: agreement with Michu|publisher=esFutbol|language=es|date=27 July 2011|access-date=4 August 2011}} He made his debut in the competition on 28 August, in a 1–1 away draw with Athletic Bilbao.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=324017&cc=5739|title=Solid return for Vallecano|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=28 August 2011|access-date=18 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614195127/http://www.espn.com/soccer/report?cc=5739&id=324017|archive-date=14 June 2018}}
Michu was one of the best national scorers in his first season (joint-ninth overall, best in the midfielder position),{{cite web|url=https://es.uefa.com/news-media/news/0204-0f882a307f70-cba2f756e6d1-1000--michu-empieza-a-dejar-huella/|title=Michu empieza a dejar huella|trans-title=Michu starting to leave his mark|publisher=UEFA|language=es|date=12 December 2012|access-date=24 January 2023}} notably scoring braces against Real Sociedad (4–0 home win),{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323926&cc=5739|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102213646/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323926&cc=5739|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2013|title=Martinez red spurs Rayo|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=6 November 2011|access-date=18 June 2012}} Racing de Santander (4–2, home),{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323800&cc=5739|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102193543/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323800&cc=5739|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2013|title=Rayo comeback stuns Racing|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=3 March 2012|access-date=18 June 2012}} CA Osasuna (6–0, home){{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323744&cc=5739|title=Osasuna hit for six|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=7 April 2012|access-date=18 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411074805/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323744&cc=5739|archive-date=11 April 2012}} and Real Madrid, the latter albeit in a 6–2 away loss.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323980&cc=5739|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729183619/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323980&cc=5739|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 July 2012|title=Ronaldo revels in Rayo rout|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=24 September 2011|access-date=18 June 2012}}
=Swansea City=
On 20 July 2012, Michu signed a three-year contract with Premier League side Swansea City for a fee of £2 million.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jul/20/swansea-city-michu-transfer|title=Swansea City sign Michu from Rayo Vallecano for £2m|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Tom|last=Lutz|date=20 July 2012|access-date=20 July 2012}} Following the departure of Gylfi Sigurðsson, the club was looking for someone to fill the gap behind the striker in their 4–2–3–1 formation.{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11731/7919953/Swans-sign-bargain-Michu|title=Swans sign 'bargain' Michu|publisher=Sky Sports|date=20 July 2012|access-date=21 July 2012}} He was given the number 9 shirt upon his transfer, and subsequently began featuring as a striker.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/swansea-striker-michu-will-play-against-chelsea-despite-booking-threat-8277433.html|title=Swansea striker Michu will play against Chelsea despite booking threat|newspaper=The Independent|first=Andrew|last=Gwilym|date=4 November 2012|access-date=4 November 2012|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/swansea-striker-michu-will-play-against-chelsea-despite-booking-threat-8277433.html|archive-date=14 May 2022}}
On his league debut on 18 August 2012, Michu scored twice and provided an assist for Scott Sinclair in a 5–0 away victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/19221292|title=QPR 0–5 Swansea|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 August 2012|access-date=15 September 2020}} The first of his goals was also the first scored in the new top-flight season,{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/qpr-0---5-swansea-2057919|title=QPR 0–5 Swansea City: Glorious Swans off to dream start|publisher=Wales Online|date=18 August 2012|access-date=15 September 2020}} and he later described his debut as "incredible".{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/23370/8009436/Michu-thriving-at-Swansea|title=Michu thriving at Swansea|publisher=Sky Sports|first=Francisco|last=Acedo|date=22 August 2012|access-date=24 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825200513/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/23370/8009436/Michu-thriving-at-Swansea|archive-date=25 August 2012}}
Michu stayed atop the scoring charts by netting the second in a 3–0 home defeat of West Ham United on 25 August,{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=345824&cc=5901|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828013659/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=345824&cc=5901|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2012|title=Swansea impress again|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=25 August 2012|access-date=25 August 2012}} and the second in the 2–2 draw against Sunderland the following matchday.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/345816/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Swansea City 2–2 Sunderland|publisher=ESPN FC|date=2 September 2012|access-date=10 September 2012}}
Michu scored his first FA Cup goal on 6 January 2013, coming off the bench in an eventual 2–2 home draw against Arsenal in the third round and finding the net a mere 73 seconds after entering the pitch.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/358196/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Graham to the rescue again|publisher=ESPN FC|date=6 January 2013|access-date=6 January 2013}} He followed this with another in his team's 2–0 win at Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Football League Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20886408|title=Chelsea 0–2 Swansea|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Gary|last=Rose|date=9 January 2013|access-date=17 January 2013}}
On 23 January 2013, Michu signed a new four-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21163782|title=Michu signs four-year contract with Swansea City|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 January 2013|access-date=23 January 2013}} On 24 February he scored the second in a 5–0 victory over Bradford City to help the side to win the League Cup for the first time in their history,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21489673|title=Bradford 0–5 Swansea|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|date=24 February 2013|access-date=25 February 2013}} in what was his 19th official goal of the campaign.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/359954/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Bantams battered by Swans|publisher=ESPN FC|date=25 February 2013|access-date=26 February 2013}} he was subsequently named the team's Player of the Year, as well as the supporters Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.swanseacity.com/news/magic-michu-steals-show|title=Magic Michu steals the show|publisher=Swansea City A.F.C.|date=16 May 2013|access-date=24 January 2023}}
Michu scored Swansea's first goal of 2013–14 on 1 August 2013, in the club's 4–0 home win against Malmö FF in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/swansea-city-4-malmo-0-match-report-wilfried-bony-quick-to-find-his-range-in-europa-league-qualifier-8742915.html|title=Swansea City 4 Malmo 0 match report: Wilfried Bony quick to find his range in Europa League qualifier|newspaper=The Independent|first=Matt|last=Lloyd|date=2 August 2013|access-date=15 September 2020|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/swansea-city-4-malmo-0-match-report-wilfried-bony-quick-to-find-his-range-in-europa-league-qualifier-8742915.html|archive-date=14 May 2022}} In the play-off tie against FC Petrolul Ploiești later that month, he netted the second in a 5–1 victory, also at home.{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/300129/report|title=Swansea too strong for Petrolul Ploiesti after 5–1 win in Europa League|publisher=Sky Sports|date=22 August 2013|access-date=22 August 2013}} However, injuries limited his impact for much of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/17/michu-napoli-season-loan-swansea|title=Michu joins Napoli on season-long loan from Swansea|newspaper=The Guardian|date=17 July 2014|access-date=11 January 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40628829|title=Michu: Ex-Swansea forward retires after long injury struggle|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 July 2017|access-date=11 January 2023}}
=Loan to Napoli and injuries=
On 17 July 2014, Michu moved on loan to SSC Napoli of Serie A, with the option of a permanent move.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28354598|title=Swansea's Michu joins Napoli on season loan with option to buy|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 July 2014|access-date=17 July 2014}} He made his debut for his new team on 31 August, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute for Lorenzo Insigne in a 2–1 win at Genoa.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/genoa-vs-napoli/1836105/report?ICID=MP_MS_5|title=Genoa 1–2 Napoli: Dramatic De Guzman strike seals victory|publisher=Goal|first=Stewart|last=Weir|date=31 August 2014|access-date=31 August 2014}}
A recurrence of his ankle injury meant that Michu could only play six competitive matches for the Italians,{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/64721/michu-injury-nightmare-over|title=Michu: 'Injury nightmare over'|publisher=Football Italia|first=Susy|last=Campanale|date=3 April 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32219087|title=Swansea City: What next for on-loan Napoli forward Michu?|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Dafydd|last=Pritchard|date=10 April 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}} and having not appeared for Swansea since April 2014, he was released on 9 November 2015 through a financial settlement, with his contract due to expire the following summer.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34720970|title=Michu: Swansea City release forward from contract|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 November 2015|access-date=9 November 2015}}
=Later career=
Immediately after leaving Swansea, Michu joined Asturian amateurs UP Langreo.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2015/11/09/futbol/futbol_internacional/premier_league/1447082772.html|title=Michu, volver a empezar|trans-title=Michu, starting over|newspaper=Marca|first=Fabián|last=Torres|language=es|date=10 November 2015|access-date=10 November 2015}} On 19 August 2016, he returned to his first club Oviedo, signing a one-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.realoviedo.es/noticia/michu-nuevo-jugador-del-real-oviedo|title=Michu, nuevo jugador del Real Oviedo|trans-title=Michu, new player of Real Oviedo|publisher=Real Oviedo|language=es|date=19 August 2016|access-date=19 August 2016}}
Michu officially announced his retirement from professional football on 25 July 2017 at the age of 31, due to the 'situation of [his] right ankle'.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/real-oviedo/story/3164551/ankle-injury-forces-former-swansea-city-striker-michu-into-retirement|title=Ankle injury forces former Swansea City striker Michu into retirement|publisher=ESPN|date=25 July 2017|access-date=11 January 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/07/25/swansea-cult-hero-michu-reveals-ankle-injury-forced-him-retire-emotional-letter-football|title=Swansea cult hero Michu reveals ankle injury forced him to retire in emotional letter to 'football'|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=25 July 2017|access-date=11 January 2023}}{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/oviedo/2017/07/25/59771818e5fdea4b198b45f6.html|title=Michu anuncia su retirada con una emotiva carta: "Gracias eternas amigo fútbol"|trans-title=Michu announces his retirement with an emotional letter: "Forever thanks my friend football"|newspaper=Marca|first=Adrián|last=Valero|language=es|date=25 July 2017|access-date=25 July 2017}} The previous week, he commented that he would like to stay connected with football.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidewelshfootball.co.uk/loved-swansea-forward-michu-retires/|title=Former Swansea City forward Michu retires from professional football|publisher=Inside Welsh Football|first=Jordan|last=Jones|date=16 July 2017|access-date=16 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720171000/http://www.insidewelshfootball.co.uk/loved-swansea-forward-michu-retires/|archive-date=20 July 2017}}
Along with players such as Roque Santa Cruz and Amr Zaki, Michu was described as a 'one-season wonder' by sports outlets due to his performances in 2012–13 followed by his rapid decline thereafter.{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/platform/amp/soccer/2015/11/9/9696572/michu-released-swansea-city-2012-13-season-22-goals|title=Remembering Michu, one of the Premier League's greatest one-season wonders|publisher=SB Nation|first=Kim|last=McCauley|date=9 November 2015|access-date=12 November 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11662/10062912/one-season-wonders|title=Michu, Amr Zaki, Roque Santa Cruz – Premier League one-season wonders|publisher=Sky Sports|first=Lewis|last=Jones|date=11 November 2015|access-date=11 January 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/michu-premier-league-season-wonders-26519049.amp|title=Michu and 7 other Premier League one-season wonders who took English football by storm|newspaper=Daily Mirror|first=Nathan|last=Ridley|date=21 March 2022|access-date=12 November 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/one-season-wonders-the-players-who-lit-up-the-premier-league-then-burned-out|title=One-season wonders: the players who lit up the Premier League – then burned out|publisher=FourFourTwo|first=Joe|last=Brewin|date=21 July 2022|access-date=11 January 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.888sport.com/blog/michu-one-season-wonder?ampx|title=Michu: Greatest One Season Wonder in Premier League history?|publisher=888 Sport|first=Sam|last=Cox|date=14 August 2023|access-date=12 November 2023}}
International career
On 22 December 2012, courtesy of his performances with Swansea, Vicente del Bosque said that Michu would play for Spain for the first time in a friendly with Uruguay on 6 February of the following year.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3868/main/2012/12/22/3620337/michu-will-make-spain-debut-against-uruguay-del-bosque|title=Spain job will be my last, says Del Bosque|publisher=Goal|first=Livio|last=Caferoglu|date=22 December 2012|access-date=28 December 2012}} However, he did not make the final squad for that match.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2013/02/01/futbol/seleccion/1359719727.html|title=Del Bosque: "De momento no encontramos sitio a Michu y Aspas"|trans-title=Del Bosque: "No place for Michu and Aspas at the moment"|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=1 February 2013|access-date=1 February 2013}}
Michu was finally called up to the national team on 6 October 2013, as a replacement for the injured David Villa.{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11731/8961281/swanseas-michu-earns-first-spain-call-up-for-final-world-cup-qualifiers|title=Swansea's Michu earns first Spain call-up for final World Cup qualifiers|publisher=Sky Sports|date=6 October 2013|access-date=6 October 2013}} He made his debut five days later, starting in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Belarus in Palma de Mallorca (2–1 win).{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/clasificacionmundial/2012_13/grupo_i/jornada_11/spa_bie/|title=Paso al campeón|trans-title=Champions coming through|newspaper=Marca|first=Tomás|last=Campos|language=es|date=11 October 2013|access-date=12 October 2013}}
Post-retirement
On 3 June 2018, Michu was appointed as director of football of Langreo, where his brother acted as head coach.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2018/07/03/mas_futbol/1530645198_090860.html|title=Michu, nuevo director deportivo de la UP Langreo|trans-title=Michu, new director of football of UP Langreo|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=3 July 2018|access-date=4 July 2018}} He left the position on 3 April 2019, to become the technical secretary of Oviedo.{{cite web|url=https://www.realoviedo.es/en/new/miguel-perez-cuesta-michu-becomes-the-new-real-oviedo-technical-secretary|title=Miguel Pérez Cuesta "Michu" becomes the new Real Oviedo technical secretary|publisher=Real Oviedo|date=3 April 2019|access-date=16 June 2019}} In December that year, he agreed to terminate his contract to join Burgos CF in the former capacity.{{cite news|url=https://www.lavozdeasturias.es/noticia/azulcarbayon/2019/12/19/michu-tendra-burgos-equipo-trabajo-carbayon/00031576785843031817737.htm|title=Michu tendrá en Burgos un equipo de trabajo muy carbayón|trans-title=Michu will have quite the carbayón (nickname of Oviedo) staff in Burgos|newspaper=La Voz de Asturias|first=Pablo|last=Fernández|language=es|date=19 December 2019|access-date=5 November 2021}}
In October 2024, Michu named himself caretaker manager of Burgos in place of the sacked Bolo. His only match in charge was a 5–2 away win over CD Móstoles URJC in the first round of the Copa del Rey.{{cite web|url=https://unionrayo.com/michu-debuta-entrenador-burgos-mostoles-copa-del-rey/|title=Michu debuta como entrenador con victoria en Copa del Rey del Burgos ante el Móstoles URJC|trans-title=Michu debuts as manager with Burgos' win in the Copa del Rey against Móstoles URJC|publisher=Unión Rayo|first=Jesús|last=Garzón López|language=es|date=30 October 2024|access-date=1 November 2024}}
Personal life
In November 2012, along with fellow Premier League stars Santi Cazorla and Juan Mata, Michu bought shares in former club Oviedo as they struggled to raise €2 million to stay afloat in the Spanish third division.{{cite web|url=http://www.givemefootball.com/european-news/chelsea-and-arsenal-stars-team-up-to-buy-ailing-sp?state=00cae4ebd79540569b31a9952e36dbe0|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130110221422/http://www.givemefootball.com/european-news/chelsea-and-arsenal-stars-team-up-to-buy-ailing-sp?state=00cae4ebd79540569b31a9952e36dbe0|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 January 2013|title=Chelsea and Arsenal stars team up to buy ailing Spanish club|publisher=Give Me Football|first=Pete|last=South|date=7 November 2012|access-date=8 November 2012}} He spoke to the official Swansea website about his love for his former club and the decision saying, "It's my local club, a club I love, so I hope it will be enough."{{cite web|url=http://www.swanseacity.com/news/article/michu-real-oviedo-470726.aspx|title=Michu answers a Real SOS back home|publisher=Swansea City A.F.C.|date=7 November 2012|access-date=8 November 2012}}{{Dead link|date=September 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} In 2022, he stated that he was still struggling with chronic pain after retirement, claiming that his 'ankle is that of a 90-year-old' despite undergoing several surgeries.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/11/03/former-swansea-striker-michu-interview-injuries-premier-league/|title=The mystery of Michu has a happy ending|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|first=Dani|last=Gil|date=3 November 2022|access-date=24 January 2023}}
Michu's older brother Hernán was also a footballer. A midfielder, he too was developed at Oviedo before playing for local sides and subsequently switching to a managerial role; both worked together at Langreo in 2015–16.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2021/07/01/primera/1625169074_665719.html|title=El Madrid ficha para dirigir el Juvenil al hermano de Michu|trans-title=Madrid sign brother of Michu to manage the Juvenil|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Carlos|last=Forjanes|language=es|date=1 July 2021|access-date=15 June 2022}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
=International=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year{{cite web|url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=28369|title=Michu|publisher=European Football|access-date=11 September 2015}} | ||
| National team||Year||Apps||Goals | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spain
|2013 | 1 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total||1||0 |
=Managerial statistics=
{{updated|1 November 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure |
| rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Nat !rowspan="2"|From !rowspan="2"|To !colspan="8"|Record !rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}} |
|---|
| {{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} !{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}} !{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}} |
| align=left|Burgos (caretaker)
|{{flagicon|Spain}} |align=left|29 October 2024 |align=left|31 October 2024 {{WDL|1|1|0|0|for=5|against=2|diff=yes}} | |
| colspan="4"|Total
{{WDLtot|1|1|0|0|for=5|against=2|diff=yes}} !— |
Honours
Swansea City
Individual
- Swansea City Player of the Year: 2012–13{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/story-michus-incredible-swansea-city-9696957|title=The story of Michu's incredible Swansea City roller-coaster – three years after the Spaniard signed|publisher=Wales Online|first=Simon|last=Gaskell|date=21 July 2015|access-date=1 November 2023}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Miguel Pérez Cuesta}}
- {{BDFutbol|6327}}
- {{NFT player|53791}}
{{Swansea City A.F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Burgos CF managers}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Michu}}
Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen
Category:Spanish men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Oviedo
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Segunda División players
Category:Segunda División B players
Category:Tercera División players
Category:RC Celta Fortuna players
Category:RC Celta de Vigo players
Category:Rayo Vallecano players
Category:UP Langreo footballers
Category:Premier League players
Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players
Category:Spain men's international footballers
Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Wales
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy
Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Wales
Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Italy