We’ve had to wait a while, then a bit longer, but now we know the next permanent head coach of the Washington Spirit and it’s the most ambitious hire any supporter could’ve asked for. Michele Kang has secured multiple Liga F and most recent Champions League winner, Barcelona head coach Jonatan Giráldez.

“We conducted an extensive global, data-driven search and found that Jona is the best choice to lead our players. His commitment to excellence and high-performance is second to none and the results speak for themselves including consecutive La Liga and Supercopa titles and multiple top coach honors,” said Owner Michele Kang in the Spirit’s press release. “We are grateful for his decision to join us. He will help take the Spirit to the next leveI for both players and fans.”

At just 32, Giráldez is an extremely young coach but already has an impressive trophy haul and experience coaching some of the best players in the world, including two Ballon d’Or winners. His Barcelona teams have a substantial talent advantage domestically, so the trophies aren’t much of a surprise, but it’s been the way his teams have been able to dominate – offensively and defensively that is so special (and makes them formidable outside of domestic competition).

“I am very excited about the opportunity to lead the team and become part of the Washington Spirit family. It’s a great honor and a greater responsibility to help bring the club to the next level so I will dedicate my heart and soul to make everyone around the team proud and part of something great,” said Giráldez in the press release. “I really want to thank Michele and Mark for the opportunity my family and myself have been given. I will be looking forward to meeting the staff, players and fans in DC soon.”

The caveat at the end there is important, because try as I’m sure Michele Kang did, Giráldez will be finishing the season with Barcelona before heading stateside. Barcelona’s final league game of the season is scheduled for June 16. It hasn’t been stated, but there might be a chance of an earlier arrival if Barcelona have already mathematically secured the league by then – of which there is plenty precedent.

Last season his team won the league with a ten point cushion (just one draw and one loss), 118 goals scored and just ten conceded. This season they’re a perfect 13-0-0, have scored 59, conceded just three, and already have a nine point lead at the top. In the Champions League they currently top their group with four wins out of four, 21 goals scored and just one against, and are heavy favorites to make it to the final on May 25 in Bilbao.

For the immediate future, a lot will depend on the interim coach to be named and the foundation they’re capable of putting in place ahead of Giráldez’s arrival. The dramatic shift in playing style his hiring suggests will also put plenty of focus on GM Mark Krikorian’s player recruitment for the remainder of the offseason and beyond.

But for now Spirit fans should be excited. Michele Kang has been clear, in word and investment, with wanting the very best for the Spirit. In her first full offseason she solidified Audi as a permanent home and hired legendary performance coach Dawn Scott, along with Mark Parsons, a coach familiar with NWSL trophies. In the second full offseason the front office decided even that wasn’t good enough, made a bold move then swung for the furthest fence, and cleared it with a mighty swing.

While no coach will ever win an NWSL Shield with a 100+ goal differential, and is unlikely to go an entire season without a loss, this hire comes from the very top of women’s club football and is extraordinarily exciting. There are some questions to be answered and the months-long delay before he gets to work with the squad on a day-to-day basis isn’t ideal, but it signals a long-term approach, and that the Spirit front office feels Giráldez is exactly who they need. If you’ve watched Barcelona Femení over the past season and a half, it’s a conclusion that’s hard to argue against.