On October 17, the Washington Spirit announced the parting of ways with head coach Mark Parsons after just one season. We’re just days from hitting the two month mark since the announcement and not only has no coach been hired, no shortlist has leaked and there have been no public comments from owner Michele Kang or general manager Mark Krikorian. So, keep in mind that while some reported information follows, it’s all from Spain, and we don’t have any information from the Spirit.

Today, Sandra Riquelme from Spanish outlet Relevo dropped news that Barcelona coach Jonatan Giráldez has ‘practically decided not to accept’ the club’s latest renewal offer. The report also notes that his current contract expires at the end of the season, on June 30, and that he has multiple offers, including an ‘astronomical’ one from an unnamed NWSL club.

You don’t need too many tea leaves to feel semi-confident that the unknown club may be the one with the ultra ambitious owner unafraid to spend to accelerate improvement. Though fans were split, hiring Parsons was ambitious for the time, and parting ways after one season could suggest that she feels it wasn’t ambitious enough. This would be.

If the Spirit are the club in negotiations, one immediate issue would be waiting until the expiration of Giráldez’s current contract, June 30th. While Michele Kang can likely afford the buyout, his Barcelona team are also favorites to win the Champions League for a second consecutive season. Then there’s also competition in Europe, as Chelsea are looking for Emma Hayes’ replacement and also have an owner unafraid to throw money around (coincidentally, that owner was almost owned the Washington Spirit, so he may have additional incentive to win a tug-of-war).

At just 32, Giráldez is a very young coach, but already incredibly accomplished. He has already won the Champions League, and is on pace for three consecutive league and cup titles. His Barcelona team play with a ball-dominant, unique style that has seen them dominate Europe. The team’s success has also seen key Barcelona players win the Ballon d’Or three years in a row (Putellas ’21, ’22; Bonmatí ’23).

If Giráldez chooses the NWSL, and if it’s the Spirit he ends up coaching, there will surely need to be a few big personnel decisions to ease the transition and give his style a greater chance of success in a highly competitive and chaotic league like the NWSL.

And, with apologies to the dreamers, the cynical side must also be presented. Not only is there competition in Europe, the Chicago Red Stars just got wealthy new owners as well. While the Spirit have a leg up in facilities, staff and stadium, they can certainly compete financially. Houston is a sleeper pick as well, as they’re currently without a coach too. And the most cynical read is that the threat of heading to the NWSL could be just the threat Giráldez and his agent need to force Barcelona into acquiescing to his demands, whatever they may be.

Of course this is all speculation as the NWSL club wasn’t identified and hasn’t leaked. But it being the Spirit would answer unresolved questions like why Parsons was let go so quickly, and why securing a coach is seemingly taking a long time. Unfortunately those questions still exist, but the sheer unstoppable force of time will provide answers. Eventually.