Jonatan Giráldez brings a trophy-laden spell at Barcelona Femeni to an abrupt end
The current head coach will leave club at the end of the season when his contract expires
Although Jonatan Giráldez is only entering his third season as Barcelona Femeni manager having joined the club as assistant manager to Luis Cortes in 2019, his achievements are nothing short of remarkable.
After taking over as head coach from Cortes in 2021, he led Barca to a domestic treble.
That was quite the feat as he was able to reunify a club which had been left fractalated by the Cortes era, despite the success he brought to the club.
Last season Giráldez went one better, leading Barcelona to a continental treble of the Champions League, Primera Division and Supercopa.
He has drawn one game and lost one game during his 72-game spell in Liga F so far, with Barca sitting top of the table after 12 games with maximum points this campaign.
He won his first 57 league games before the record run was finally ended when Barcelona drew 1-1 with Sevilla in May earlier this year.
They also top their Champions League group, having won their first three games.
In order to depart with a Hollywood ending, Giráldez will aim even higher, attempting to win a domestic treble on top of retaining the Champions League crown.
Winning all four major trophies is something which has not been achieved by Barcelona Femeni before, but with the current crop, they are well placed to do so.
The 32-year old Vigo native, signed a one-year contract extension at the start of the 2022-23 season.
Although, according to the Athletic, Barcelona’s hierarchy intended to keep him on board, he rejected the offer of an extension for a the chance at a change of scenery.
The allure of the NWSL, the top-flight in the United States, appears to be too strong, especially with the financial power that many clubs have, which Barcelona were unable to match.
His exact destination has yet to be revelated but it will be a major coup for whoever lands one of the most exciting young coaches in the game.
If recent appointments are anything to go by, Barcelona may well look internally again for who will replace Giráldez, as the last two managers of Cortes and Giráldez were promoted from within.
Rafael Navarro, Giráldez’s assistant who was also part of Cortes technical staff, according to the Athletic, is the front runner and would add continuity in a time of great upheaval for the club.
There is undoubtedly a crucial period off the field coming up for Barca, who also lost sporting director Markel Zubizareta a few months ago, now seeking to fill two big voids.
Add in the fact that key members of the squad such as Alexia Putellas, Lucy Bronze, Sandro Panos, Mapi Leon and Asistat Oshoala among others have yet to have their contracts renewed and could leave for free in the summer, and it highlights how easily Barcelona’s recent dynasty could crumble if swift and decisive action isn’t taken by the board.