Jonatan Giráldez Announces Transition to OL Lyonnes
In a surprising turn of events, Jonatan Giráldez has officially announced his transition from head coach of the NWSL’s Washington Spirit to the prestigious coaching role at OL Lyonnes, a powerhouse in European women’s football. This decision, confirmed by both organizations earlier this week, is seen as beneficial for both the Spirit and Lyonnes, according to Giráldez himself.
Achievements with Washington Spirit
Having joined the Washington Spirit midway through the 2024 season, Giráldez played a pivotal role in steering the club to the runner-up position in both the regular season and playoffs. His previous experience at FC Barcelona, where he led the team to consecutive European titles, has significantly shaped his coaching pedigree.
Giráldez’s Departure and Comments
At a press conference on Friday, Giráldez addressed his departure, emphasizing that he does not view his tenure with the Spirit as incomplete.
“I believe we laid a solid foundation together, as the players expressed, and my role was just part of the bigger picture,”
he stated, downplaying his individual significance in favor of the team’s collective efforts. He acknowledged that while his plan was to stay longer, the nature of football often leads to unexpected changes. The opportunity to lead Lyonnes presented itself as the best path moving forward for all parties involved.
Transition and Future Plans
Following Giráldez’s exit, Adrián González, who previously served as interim coach for the Spirit, will step into the head coaching role starting July 18. This transition comes as the Spirit seeks to maintain stability after the recent departure of general manager Mark Krikorian. Giráldez praised González, calling him a friend and recognizing his contributions during his interim period.
The head coach role at Lyonnes became vacant after Joe Montemurro decided to accept the position of head coach for the Australian women’s national team. This change was officially announced earlier in the week. Giráldez revealed that his opportunity at Lyonnes arose a few weeks ago, fueled by discussions with various stakeholders, including Kynisca’s sporting director Markel Zubizarreta, who has a history with Giráldez from their time at Barcelona.
Community Response and Coaching Dynamics
Spirit co-captain Aubrey Kingsbury expressed her understanding of the situation, noting that the soccer community is closely knit, leading to circulation of rumors prior to the official announcement.
“I think we can all regard this as a positive resolution for everyone involved,”
she remarked, reinforcing the team’s support for both Giráldez and González during the transition.
Looking Ahead
Aside from Giráldez, his fitness coach Andrés González and analyst Toni Gordo, who joined the Spirit from Barcelona, are expected to accompany him to Lyonnes. As Giráldez embarks on this new chapter, he reflects on the unpredictable nature of football coaching, recognizing that it’s essential to focus on present opportunities rather than long-term plans that may change rapidly.
“In this industry, things can shift quickly, and you need to embrace the present to foster growth,”
he concluded.
