Barcelona Women's manager Jonatan Giraldez to leave club at end of season

Barcelona Women's head coach Jonatan Giraldez has announced that he will step down from his position at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old joined the Blaugrana ranks as an assistant to Lluis Cortes in 2019, having previously made his first foray into management by taking charge of the Catalonia Under-12 team.

Under Cortes's wing, Giraldez helped Barcelona achieve a historic treble in the 2020-21 season, after which the latter took the top job following Cortes's exit, and he has continued to deliver sustained success to La Blaugrana.

The Spaniard led Barcelona to a Primera Division, Champions League and Supercopa de Espana treble in the 2022-23 campaign, prior to which the Catalonian giants won the former and latter trophy - as well as a Copa de la Reina - in 2021-22.

However, Giraldez will now be pursuing a new adventure once his contract expires at the end of the current campaign, telling reporters on Monday: "I informed the club that I don't intend to renew my contract.

"I want to leave them enough time to sort things out and find the best possible future. Last Friday I told the players and staff about the situation. I wanted them to know the reasons for my decision."

When asked about speculation surrounding a potential job in the National Women's Soccer League in the USA, Giraldez kept his cards close to his chest, adding: "I can only say it's outside of Europe. I would not want to compete against Barca."

Barcelona have won all 12 of their opening games in the 2023-24 Liga F season, as well as taking nine points from nine in Champions League Group A so far.