Albert Riera is expected to leave his position as manager of Eintracht Frankfurt following next week’s Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart, according to Sky Sports. The news comes amid a significant downturn in form for the club, who have collected only one point from their last four league games, most recently losing to Borussia Dortmund.
Riera, appointed in February after the dismissal of Dino Toppmöller, had expressed optimism about turning the team’s fortunes around. Following the defeat at Dortmund, he stated that time was key to improving the squad and highlighted positive aspects of their performance, emphasizing commitment, leadership, and compactness. He suggested that replicating that level of play consistently would yield better results.
However, sporting director Markus Krösche offered a contrasting assessment, pointing to mentality issues within the squad. While Krösche confirmed Riera would remain in charge for the Stuttgart game, he indicated that a discussion about the manager’s future would follow. Sky Sports reported earlier in the week that the club had already made the internal decision to part ways with the Spaniard.
Frankfurt’s recent struggles have significantly impacted their European qualification hopes. A win for Freiburg against either HSV or RB Leipzig would see them overtake Eintracht Frankfurt and secure seventh place, potentially denying Frankfurt a spot in European competition next season. Riera previously managed Mallorca, Olympiacos, and Gimnàstic Tarragona, and his arrival at Frankfurt was intended to stabilize the team after a period of inconsistency.
The departure of Riera will likely prompt a search for a new manager capable of revitalizing Frankfurt’s squad and restoring their competitiveness in the Bundesliga. The club will be looking for a coach who can address the mentality concerns raised by Krösche and build a team capable of consistently challenging for European places.
