Albert Riera’s honeymoon at Eintracht Frankfurt is already over, and some of his own players are now said to be questioning whether he is the right man to lead them forward.
The former Liverpool winger only took over in January but, seven weeks on, Frankfurt’s form has stuttered and internal doubts are reportedly growing over his methods and public comments.
According to BILD, Riera has “lost credit” inside the dressing room, with sections of the squad unsettled by his communication and by remarks made after recent setbacks.
The 43-year-old angered many around the club when, after a 2-1 defeat to Mainz, he suggested a win there would have been “a miracle” given Eintracht’s historical record at that ground.
He has also drawn heat for controversially cutting 2014 World Cup winner Mario Gotze from a Bundesliga matchday squad despite the midfielder being fit, defending the call in a spiky DAZN interview by asking journalists which player he was supposed to drop instead.
The perception, as put by BILD, is that “coaches are not magicians” – a line Riera himself used as he tried to dampen expectations around how quickly he can fix Frankfurt’s problems.
The report adds that the first in‑depth review between sporting director Markus Krosche and Riera is scheduled. It’s described as an opportunity for serious conversations about the club’s short‑term future and Riera’s impact.
Meanwhile, the Spaniard received a warmer reception on Merseyside on the weekend. The Spaniard, who played for Liverpool between 2008 and 2010 and made 56 appearances for the club after signing from Espanyol, returned to Anfield during the international break to feature in the LFC Legends charity match against Borussia Dortmund.
In Germany, though, the mood is far less nostalgic. As Eintracht wobble and questions grow louder in the dressing room, the former Liverpool man finds his first big Bundesliga job in real danger
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