Jonatan Giráldez Appointed Head Coach of OL Lyonnes
Jonatan Giráldez, previously at the helm of the Washington Spirit, has been appointed as the head coach of OL Lyonnes, a team with a rich legacy of eight European titles. His transition follows a brief stint in the NWSL, where he spent less than a year leading the Spirit. Adrián González, who served as his assistant and held the interim coaching role during Giráldez’s arrival from FC Barcelona, is set to take over as the head coach of the Washington Spirit on July 18, just before the NWSL resumes its season after the summer break.
Ownership and Transition
Both OL Lyonnes—recently rebranded from Olympique Lyonnais—and the Washington Spirit are under the ownership of Michele Kang, whose multi-club enterprise, Kynisca, manages both teams. The news of Giráldez’s move to Lyonnes was initially reported by ESPN last week.
“Jonatan’s unwavering dedication to excellence and performance stands out,” Kang stated. “His tactical insight and commitment to nurturing players will be fundamental as we strive to elevate the club on both domestic and international fronts. We are thankful that he continues as part of the Kynisca family, as he is essential for the progress of OL Lyonnes for the benefit of our players and supporters.”
Position Change and Coaching Background
The position at OL Lyonnes became vacant following the departure of Joe Montemurro, who left the team after just one season to lead the Matildas, the Australia women’s national team—an announcement made this past Monday. Despite their success in the French league, where OL Lyonnes clinched their 18th title in the last 19 years, they faced disappointment in the UEFA Champions League, getting eliminated in the semifinals by Arsenal, the eventual title winners.
At 33, Giráldez embarks on a new chapter aiming to restore the glory he once faced as a rival during his time at Barcelona, where he celebrated back-to-back Champions League wins in 2023 and 2024. Notably, he was the coach when Barcelona faced OL Lyonnes in the finals, having experienced both victory and defeat against the French club in recent years.
“The legacy and ambition of OL Lyonnes present an incredible opportunity, and I am eager to build upon its rich history as we move into this exciting new chapter,”
Giráldez expressed, showing his enthusiasm for the role.
Giráldez’s Departure and González’s Ascension
Giráldez’s arrival at the Spirit was seen as a significant coup for the organization last year. He leaves the club following a season highlighted by a victory against Orlando Pride in March’s Challenge Cup, marking the start of the new season. In departing, he expressed gratitude for his time with the Spirit, where he felt a profound connection with the club and its supporters, especially as he and his wife prepared to welcome their second child in June.
González previously had a successful run as an interim coach, achieving a 10-4-1 record and guiding the Spirit to a playoff runner-up finish, reflecting a remarkable start to the 2024 season.
“I am both excited and honored to take on this role with the Spirit,”
González said, emphasizing a commitment to deliver performances that resonate with fans.
“I want to extend my thanks to Jona for his guidance and camaraderie throughout our time together; I look forward to building on the strong foundation we established.”
Future Challenges and Goals
Prior to joining the Spirit, González led RCD Espanyol, achieving promotion to Liga F, Spain’s premier women’s league. Kang expressed confidence in González, stating,
“Adrián has shown he is well-prepared for this position and has earned the trust of the organization through his dedication. I am eager to see what our team accomplishes this season under his leadership.”
As the Spirit currently holds fourth place in the NWSL, they face challenges in the form of injuries, particularly that of United States forward Trinity Rodman, who is sidelined due to a chronic back issue. Additionally, the Spirit has been without a permanent general manager since the departure of Mark Krikorian earlier this year, contributing to a series of coaching changes with six different individuals leading the team since late 2021. Despite these uncertainties, González approaches his new position determined to foster stability and success moving forward. Kang also oversees the London City Lionesses, who have recently achieved promotion to the top tier in England, indicating her ambition to enhance her football portfolio globally. She has reiterated her goal for each team under her ownership to excel in their respective leagues without inter-club player transfers that would hinder another club’s progress.
