Washington Spirit head coach Jonatan Giraldez is reportedly set to depart the NWSL club in June, heading to France`s OL Lyonnes. This move sees him transition from one team owned by American billionaire Michele Kang to another.
According to reports, Giraldez is expected to leave the Spirit either just before or during the NWSL`s summer break, which commences the week of June 23. His replacement will be Adrian Gonzalez, who currently serves as Giraldez`s assistant but previously held the role of the Spirit`s interim head coach at the beginning of the 2024 season while Giraldez was concluding his three-year tenure in charge of Barcelona.
Although Adrian Gonzalez is considered a capable successor, Giraldez`s upcoming departure is viewed with some surprise. He officially announced his exit from Barcelona in December 2023, stating he had “received much bigger offers” elsewhere, with reports indicating the Spirit were set to quadruple his salary. His recruitment was seen as a significant statement of intent from owner Michele Kang, securing one of the most prominent coaches in women`s soccer, known for his two UEFA Women`s Champions League titles with Barcelona.
Gonzalez`s appointment follows the Spirit reportedly declining several requests from other NWSL teams to interview him for their head coaching vacancies, anticipating Giraldez`s eventual return to Europe. Giraldez now returns to his home continent, but will notably remain under the ownership of Michele Kang.
While he only officially took the reins at the Spirit in July of the previous year, Giraldez quickly made an impact, guiding the team to the NWSL Championship final in November, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to first-time champions Orlando Pride. That successful run, highlighted by standout performances from MVP candidate Trinity Rodman and Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune, was widely regarded as the initial phase of an ambitious long-term project for the club.
Michele Kang has emerged as a highly ambitious investor in women`s soccer in recent years, particularly since becoming the majority owner of the Washington Spirit in 2022. She subsequently acquired the highly successful OL Lyonnes, record eight-time Champions League winners (known as Olympique Lyonnais until a recent rebrand), and England`s London City Lionesses. All three clubs operate under the umbrella of Kynisca Sports International, a London-based entity Kang launched last year that encompasses various soccer-related ventures she has invested in over time.
Giraldez is expected to take over from Joe Montemurro at OL Lyonnes, with Montemurro likely departing after just one year to assume charge of the Australian national team. OL Lyonnes secured a record-extending 18th domestic title this season but were eliminated in the Champions League semifinals by eventual winners Arsenal.
