Eintracht Frankfurt appoint Albert Riera as new head coach
Eintracht Frankfurt have brought in former Spain international Albert Riera to replace Dino Toppmöller as head coach.
Toppmöller spent two-and-a-half years as Frankfurt coach, before his dismissal on 18 January following an inconsistent first half of 2025/26.
Riera, 43, makes the switch on a deal valid until 30 June 2028, less than 12 months after winning the Slovenian Cup in his second spell at Celje.
“In Albert Riera, we have deliberately decided on a coach who plays modern, intensive and attacking football," said Frankurt board member for sport Markus Krösche. "He has international experience, a clear playing philosophy and an equally clear approach in his day-to-day work with the team.
"In our talks, Albert impressed us with his extensive expertise and good communication. We have followed his progress for a long time and are confident that his abilities are a good fit for the demands of Eintracht Frankfurt."
Before winning silverware with Celje, Riera guided Slovenia's Olimpija Ljubljana to a 2022/23 domestic double. The Manacor native also oversaw a 12th-placed finish whilst in charge of Bordeaux during the 2023/24 Ligue 2 season, in addition to gaining experience as Galatarasay assistant under Fatih Terim (2020/21) and Domènec Torrent (2021/22).
As a player, Riera won 16 senior international caps for Spain. The former winger represented the likes of Espanyol, Liverpool, Manchester City and Galatasaray before hanging up his boots in 2016, but the Frankfurt job marks his first stint in Germany.
Riera will oversee Celje's game against NK Maribor on Sunday, before arriving in Frankfurt on Monday 2 February.
His first match in charge of the Eagles will therefore be the Matchday 21 opener at Union Berlin on Friday 6 February.
Frankfurt - who went out of the UEFA Champions League and lost to Hoffenheim with interim coach Dennis Schmitt at the helm - have fallen to eighth in the current Bundesliga standings. They trail sixth-placed Leverkusen by five points in the race for European qualification.
Related news
Luka Vušković named Rookie of the Month!
The Hamburg youngster takes the prize for the third time, ahead of Leipzig's Yan Diomande and Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah.
How will Frankfurt line up under Riera?
Eintracht have appointed Albert Riera as their new head coach. What will the former Liverpool winger bring to Deutsche Bank Park?
Matchday 21 probable teams
Will Bayern captain Manuel Neuer be fit to face Hoffenheim on Sunday after sitting out training with illness?