Jonatan Giráldez to leave FC Barcelona: what is his record with the club?

FC Barcelona Femení head coach Jonatan Giráldez has confirmed that he will leave the club at the end of the Liga F season.

“I communicated to the club a few days ago my intention to not renew my contract,” Giráldez said in a news conference on Monday.

Giráldez was assistant to the team’s previous manager Lluis Cortes from 2019 before becoming the first-team head coach in July 2021.

“I wanted the timing of the decision to allow the club the most time possible to plan for the good of the team. Also, on a personal level, I wanted to avoid the focus being on [my future] when we get to March, April-time when we are usually comPeting for titles.

“Since [sporting director] Marc Vivés came in, we had been negotiating [a renewal]. There were things left to negotiate, relating to my staff, and during that impasse I received another offer which I decided to accept.”

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Giráldez’s record with Barcelona

In his time at the Catalan club, Giráldez has been hugely successful, winning the Champions League, two Spanish league titles, the Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups.

Giráldez was nominated for The Best FIFA Women’s Coach Award 2023 earlier this week, along with current Chelsea and future USA boss Emma Hayes and England coach Sarina Wiegman.

What’s next for Giráldez?

The 32-year-old has been linked with a move to America’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

When asked about the links, he said: “I can only say it’s outside of Europe. I would not want to comPete against Barcelona.”

Spanish outlet Relevo report that Giráldez has been offered the vacant managerial position at NWSL side Washington Spirit.

Where are Barcelona in the table?

Barcelona sit top of the Liga F standings with 36 points after 12 Games, nine ahead of Real Madrid in second place.