NWSL-linked Gir\u00e1ldez plans to leave Barcelona – source\u060c<\/p>\n
Sam Marsden<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Moses Llorens<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
December 15, 2023, 3:12 p.m.<\/span><\/div>\n Champions League-winning Barcelona Femen\u00ed coach Jonatan Gir\u00e1ldez has told the club he plans to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, a source told ESPN.<\/p>\n Gir\u00e1ldez, 32, announced his decision to give Bar\u00e7a time to develop a contingency plan before next season.<\/p>\n – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)<\/strong><\/p>\n Local media claim that Gir\u00e1ldez has attracted interest from several NWSL teams, including an “astronomical offer”, and that he could move to the United<\/a> States when his contract with Bar\u00e7a ends next summer.<\/p>\n The source was unable to confirm the information to ESPN. Gir\u00e1ldez is due to address the media next Wednesday, when he will give a press conference ahead of Bar\u00e7a's Champions League match against Roseng\u00e5rd.<\/p>\n Gir\u00e1ldez replaced Llu\u00eds Cort\u00e9s as Bar\u00e7a coach, after being part of Cort\u00e9s' team, in 2021 and enjoyed great success during his two years in charge.<\/p>\n Barca have won Liga F in each of the last two seasons, including winning all 30 of their league matches in 2021-22, and have also reached the last two Champions League finals.<\/p>\n They were beaten by Lyon in 2022, but came from 2-0 down to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 in this year's final, winning the competition for the second time in their history.<\/p>\n The success saw Gir\u00e1ldez nominated for the 2023 FIFA Best Women's Coach Award earlier this week<\/a>, alongside Chelsea's Emma Hayes and England's Sarina Wiegman.<\/p>\n