Eintracht Frankfurt Appoints Albert Riera as New Head Coach
After extensive negotiations with Slovenian champions NK Celje, Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt has secured the services of Spanish coach Albert Riera. The 43-year-old Mallorca native replaces Dino Toppmöller at the helm of the historic German club, with Frankfurt reportedly paying a negotiated transfer fee below Riera’s €5 million release clause. According to Kicker, the final agreement fell significantly under seven figures.
Contract Details and Immediate Timeline
Riera signed a two-and-a-half year contract running through summer 2028. The former Spanish international will make his Bundesliga debut on February 2nd against Union Berlin. In a respectful transition, Riera will oversee his final match for Celje this Sunday against Maribor – where his club currently holds a commanding 12-point lead in the Slovenian PrvaLiga.
Sporting Director Krösche Explains Choice
Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krösche emphasized the strategic nature of this appointment: “We consciously chose a coach who stands for modern, intensive and offensive football. Albert impressed us with his professional depth and clear communication.” Krösche revealed Frankfurt’s scouting department had monitored Riera’s progress for over a year, noting his Conference League achievements with Celje and double-winning 2022/23 season with Olimpija Ljubljana.
Riera’s Coaching Pedigree
The former Liverpool and Manchester City winger transitioned to coaching in 2020 as Galatasaray’s assistant manager. His subsequent head coach roles at Girondins Bordeaux (2021-2022) and NK Celje (2023-present) demonstrate rapid progression. Riera holds UEFA Pro License credentials and brings multilingual communication skills developed during playing spells in England, Turkey, France, and Slovenia.
Playing Career Context
As a player, Riera earned 16 caps for Spain between 2007-2009, featuring in Euro 2008 qualification. His club career spanned 17 professional seasons including notable Champions League appearances with Galatasaray. This blend of top-level playing experience and emerging coaching success positions him uniquely for Frankfurt’s European ambitions.
Source: Original report (German)
Images Credit: www.mallorcamagazin.com