Girona FC the new Leicester? How Pep Guardiola’s brother and Manchester United and Tottenham rejects are challenging Barcelona and Real Madrid for LaLiga glory

Xavi has called for unity at Barcelona and refused to step down as manager after their LaLiga title defence took a huge hit this week — and he probably didn’t expect the reason why to be so close to home.

Barca were always in for a tough challenge to secure back-to-back titles with a resurgent Real Madrid led by Jude Bellingham and an ever-stubborn Atletico Madrid side to contend with, but so far this season all those Spanish giants have been bested by a surprise contender in the form of Girona FC.

The Catalan club founded in 1930 had only played in three top flight seasons before their current campaign, with this only their second year back in LaLiga following promotion from the Segunda Division via the play-offs in 2021/22, and yet they are punching well above their weight two points clear at the top of Spain’s premier league.

But how have they got here? Well, they’re part of the same football ownership group as Manchester City, for starters.

Girona were about to begin their first ever LaLiga campaign in 2017 when it was announced the City Football Group had acquired 44.3 per cent of the club.

They — with the help of five players signed on loan from City, including current Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz — achieved a top-half finish at their very first attempt in what was a historic campaign for the club.

They finished tenth to become the most successful LaLiga debutant in history, and their 14 league wins included a stunning 2-1 victory over reigning Spanish and European champions Real Madrid, plus a last-16 victory over Atletico in the Copa del Rey.

However, the following season saw the club relegated in 18th place, which began a City Group-led rebuild which never really took off.

They finished fifth in Spain’s second