Jonatan Giráldez has formally been introduced as the brand new head coach of eight-time European girls’s champions OL Lyonnes, bringing an abrupt finish to his tenure as Washington Spirit head coach after lower than a 12 months in cost.
Spirit assistant coach Adrián González, who was the interim coach final spring whereas the workforce waited for the arrival of Giráldez from Barcelona, will take over as the brand new head coach of Washington. González’s appointment will take impact July 18, forward of the NWSL’s resumption of play from a summer time break.
Each the Washington Spirit and OL Lyonnes, which was not too long ago rebranded from Olympique Lyonnais, are owned by Michele Kang by way of her multi-club firm, Kynisca. ESPN reported on Giráldez’s impending departure of the Spirit to OL Lyonnes final week.
“Jonatan’s dedication to excellence and efficiency is unmatched,” Kang stated in an announcement. “His management, tactical acumen, and dedication to participant growth will propel our membership to the following stage, each domestically and internationally.
“We’re grateful for his determination to stay a part of the Kynisca household. He’ll play a vital position in elevating OL Lyonnes to new heights for the gamers and followers.”
The OL Lyonnes job opened after one other abrupt exit by head coach Joe Montemurro, who left his place after one season in cost to turn out to be the top coach of the Australia girls’s nationwide workforce. He was unveiled as the brand new head coach of the Matildas on Monday in Australia.
OL Lyonnes gained an 18th league title previously 19 seasons in France this 12 months however had been eradicated from the UEFA Champions League within the semifinals by eventual champions Arsenal, who beat Barcelona within the closing on Might 24.
Giráldez, 33, will attempt to return his former rival to glory. He gained back-to-back UEFA Girls’s Champions League titles with FC Barcelona in 2023 and 2024 earlier than becoming a member of the Spirit. Barcelona beat OL Lyonnes within the 2024 closing, and Giráldez was in his first season in control of Barcelona when the workforce misplaced the 2022 Champions League closing to OL Lyonnes.
“I’m honored and excited to affix OL Lyonnes,” Giráldez stated in an announcement. “The membership’s historical past, ambition, and gifted squad symbolize a implausible alternative, and I look ahead to constructing on the membership’s successes because it enters a brand new chapter.”
Giráldez’s arrival in Washington was seen globally as a significant coupe for the membership and the NWSL final 12 months. He’ll depart the Spirit having coached half a season every in 2024 and 2025. He guided the Spirit to a win over the Orlando Pleasure in March’s NWSL Problem Cup, a one-off Neighborhood Protect-style sport to open the season.
Kang thanked Giráldez for “the muse he constructed” on the membership, and Giráldez stated he was “deeply grateful for the chance to have been a part of the Spirit household.”
Giráldez and his spouse, Olaia, predict the arrival of their second baby in June.
González was introduced onto Giráldez’s employees in 2024 with the intent of guiding the Spirit as interim coach within the spring earlier than shifting to an assistant position.
González compiled a 10-4-1 document as interim coach within the first half of the 2024 season, serving to the Spirit end second within the NWSL Protect race and runners-up within the playoffs. Washington’s 18 victories tied a single-season document with the Orlando Pleasure, who gained the double final 12 months.
“I’m excited and honored to turn out to be the top coach of the Spirit,” González stated. “Our focus stays on persevering with to ship performances that make our followers proud. I need to thank Jona for his management and friendship through the years, and I look ahead to persevering with to construct upon the muse now we have established collectively.”
Previous to becoming a member of the Spirit, González was the top coach of RCD Espanyol in Spain, main the workforce to promotion to Liga F, Spain’s high flight.
“Adrián has confirmed that he’s prepared for this position,” Kang stated in an announcement. “He is aware of the workforce and has earned this group’s belief by way of his arduous work and dedication. I’m wanting ahead to watching what this workforce can obtain this season and past below his management.”
Washington sits in fourth place (6-3-1, 19 factors) within the NWSL with three video games remaining earlier than the league’s summer time break. The Spirit proceed to cope with an extended harm listing, together with the continued absence of United States star ahead Trinity Rodman because of a continual again harm.
The Spirit have been working with no full-time normal supervisor — or sporting director or equal — for the reason that departure of Mark Krikorian earlier this 12 months. Krikorian departed his position as president of soccer operations and GM earlier this 12 months after his contract expired.
Together with interim coaches, the Spirit have had six totally different coaches in cost for a couple of sport for the reason that finish of 2021. González is amongst them and can quickly start his second stint — and first on a full-time foundation.
Kang additionally owns the London Metropolis Lionesses, who earned promotion to England’s high flight forward of subsequent season. Kang has informed ESPN that she is going to quickly add a fourth membership to her possession on a brand new continent.
She has stated repeatedly that her purpose is to have every membership she owns be the very best in its respective nation, and that she is not going to transfer gamers from considered one of her golf equipment to profit one other.
