Jonatan Giraldez joins the Spirit, will transition to head coach role
Barcelona coach Jonatan Giraldez celebrates with the trophy after winning the women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Saturday, May 25, 2024. Barcelona won 2-0. Credit: AP/Jose Breton
WASHINGTON D.C. — New head coach Jonatan Giraldez has joined the Washington Spirit after finishing up the season with Barcelona.
Giraldez was named head coach of the Spirit earlier this year, but stayed on with Barcelona through the conclusion of the Spanish Liga F season while Adrian Gonzalez served in the interim.
Giraldez will transition into his new role with the Spirit while Gonzalez continues at the helm. Once Giraldez takes over, Gonzalez will remain on staff as an assistant.
Giraldez led Barcelona to a historic finish in his final season, winning the Liga F, the Copa de la Reina, the Spanish Super Cup and the Champions League.
The Spirit (9-3-1) are undefeated in their last five matches and sit in third place in the NWSL standings.
Giraldez joined Barcelona as an assistant in 2021 before becoming head coach in 2021.
He will be joined on the Spirit by his Barcelona staff members Andrés González and Toni Gordo. Gonzalez will serve as fitness coach and Gordo will be a club analyst.