Giráldez: OL Lyonnes transfer ‘very best for either side’

Jonatan Giráldez stated on Friday that his approaching transfer from head trainer of the NWSL‘s Washington Spirit to the similar position for eight-time European champions OL Lyonnes used to be “the best for both sides.”

Giráldez addressed journalists for the primary time because the surprising information, which the Spirit and Lyonnes showed on Monday. Both golf equipment are owned by way of Michele Kang thru her Kynisca multi-club trade.

Giráldez arrived on the Spirit midway thru 2024 and helped the staff end runners-up within the common season and the playoffs. He got here from FC Barcelona, a membership he had resulted in back-to-back European titles.

He stated on Friday that he didn’t view his time with the Spirit as incomplete.

“No, being honest, I think we should consider [my time] here, as the players said, as a foundation to build something together,” Giráldez stated. “I am part of the group. I’m not the most important guy.

“I’m really not a very powerful particular person. Club, avid gamers, team of workers, supporters — particularly, membership is over everybody. I got here right here with a plan, most certainly to stick longer. But some issues, you understand, in football, issues alternate so briefly, and the entirety in combination, we discovered that the most suitable option for either side used to be simply going to Lyon for the following season.”

Adrián González will assume the position of Washington Spirit head coach once Giráldez departs for Lyon, effective July 18, according to the Spirit. González was interim coach for the Spirit last spring as the club awaited the arrival of Giráldez from Barcelona.

Asked about comments he made during his departure from Barcelona last year, Giráldez that he said he wouldn’t leave Barcelona for a competitor — but he is 33 years old and there are many big jobs in Europe.

“I stated, sure, I’m no longer going to compete towards Barca, however I did not say that I’m no longer going to compete towards Barca ever. I feel it is other,” he said.

Giráldez said that the OL Lyonnes opportunity developed “a couple of weeks in the past” and that he had discussions with several people, including Kynisca’s sporting director Markel Zubizarreta, who worked with Giráldez at Barcelona, as well as Kang and Spirit CEO Kim Stone. The Spirit do not currently have a full-time general manager following the departure of Mark Krikorian earlier this spring.

The OL Lyonnes head coaching position became available when Joe Montemurro informed club leadership that he would leave the role to take over as the head coach of the Australian women’s national team. The Australian FC officially announced that earlier this week.

Spirit co-captain and goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury stated on Friday that, “I feel we will be able to all more or less perceive it is a just right answer for everybody concerned.” Kingsbury spoke alongside co-captain Ashley Hatch and Giráldez in a joint press conference that the Spirit cut short to limit the number of questions about the coaching move, with a spokesperson telling reporters that the club’s focus is on Sunday’s game.

“I will be able to say that numerous us had more or less already heard of it, simply the football neighborhood small and rumors, possibly from brokers, different avid gamers had more or less gotten round,” Kingsbury said on Friday. “So, it wasn’t a large surprise, simply because, like I stated, we heard of it. So, possibly that used to be a bit more uncomplicated to take. But we are more than pleased for Jona. We’re satisfied for Adrián.”

Giráldez said that fitness coach Andrés González, and analyst Toni Gordo, will move to Lyonnes with him. They both came to the Spirit with Giráldez from Barcelona.

Giráldez called Adrián González a friend and commended him for his work as interim coach last year. Giráldez conceded that his midseason departure from the Spirit “isn’t best.”

“When I plan, I discuss that numerous occasions, particularly at house, as a result of we know the way it really works, this setting,” Giráldez said. “I know the way tricky it’s, this setting, on the subject of football — it adjustments. I by no means discuss initiatives and 3, 4, 5 years; it’s a must to discuss as of late, concerning the provide, concerning the possibility that you’ll be able to develop as of late. And let’s examine what’s going to occur at some point.”