Image Credits: Imago Images
Eintracht Frankfurt parted ways with head coach Dino Toppmoller following a 3-3 draw at Werder Bremen last week. In a statement, the club said the decision came after a “comprehensive sporting and structural analysis of the past few weeks,” citing a frustrating start to the year, with just two points from three matches against Borussia Dortmund, VfB Stuttgart, and Bremen.
“Dino Toppmöller has always completely identified with Eintracht Frankfurt and worked with great passion every day for this club,” said board member for sport Markus Krösche.
“We have high regard for his technical competence, his professionalism, his meticulous way of working and his human interaction with the team. Nevertheless, following intensive internal evaluation, we in the sporting management and collectively on the board have come to the conclusion that we need a fresh impetus due to the downward trend in recent weeks.
“So far this season, we have not lived up to the ethos of Eintracht Frankfurt standing for dynamic, aggressive and compact football.” Former Liverpool player and current Celje manager Albert Riera has emerged as the frontrunner to become Eintracht Frankfurt’s new head coach.
Club CEO Axel Hellmann confirmed the search is in its “final stages,” while Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg reports that Riera is currently the top candidate for the vacant role.
Plettenberg posted on X: “Albert #Riera (NK Celje) is currently the top candidate to become the new head coach of Eintracht Frankfurt. Axel Hellmann confirmed yesterday: “We’re on the final stretch” – and it is expected to be Riera.
“Slovenian sources closely involved in the process confirm that concrete talks have taken place. Alternative: Kjetil Knutsen. Copenhagen are not willing to release Jacob Neestrup. Marco Rose has not been a hot option recently.”
Riera, who returned to Celje in July 2024, has guided the Slovenian side to the top of the PrvaLiga, with 43 points – 12 clear of second-placed Koper after 18 matches. Riera spent two years at Liverpool after joining from La Liga side Espanyol in 2008.
He made 28 league appearances and scored three goals in his debut season as the Reds finished second to Manchester United. Limited first-team opportunities in 2009-10 led to a falling out with Benitez, resulting in a transfer to Olympiacos in July 2010.
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