Image Credits: Imago Images
Many Reds fans thought it could be a weekend of managerial drama at Anfield, but instead it was at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Liverpool fans had just watched yet another defeat to make it 20 for the season, with a 4-2 hamering at the hands of Aston Villa on Friday night, conceding two goals from corners as the clamour for Arne Slot’s head grew louderr by the hour.
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To make matters worse for those dreaming of a reunion with an Anfield legend, Xabi Alonso confirmed he was heading to Stamford Bridge instead, signing a four-year deal to become Chelsea’s new manager from July 1. It was the definitive end of any fantasy of seeing the Spaniard return to manage Liverpool, the club where he became a legend.
And then, quietly, another Spaniard with Liverpool ties was making headlines for entirely different reasons – Albert Riera.
Eintracht Frankfurt announced on Sunday night that they have agreed a mutual termination with former Liverpool winger Albert Riera. A statement read:
“Eintracht Frankfurt and head coach Albert Riera as well as assistant coaches Pablo Remon Arteta and Lorenzo Dolcetti have mutually agreed to end their cooperation with immediate effect.”
“The coaching team took over responsibility in February of this year. Under Riera’s leadership, the team recorded four wins, five draws and five losses. Eintracht Frankfurt finished the 2025/26 Bundesliga season in eighth place in the table.
Appointed in February after Frankfurt paid Slovenian side Celje a reported €1.3 million release fee to prise him away. Under his short reign, the club managed just four wins, five draws and five defeats — finishing eighth in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season.
Reports had been circulating since early May of off-pitch tensions and a dressing room that had grown increasingly fractured under his management, with fans audibly booing Riera during the club’s final home games of the season.
Albert Riera said: “The club and I have mutually decided to end the cooperation. As a coach, I take responsibility for the sporting results, and my only focus during this time was on improving the team and making it successful.
“I felt I had to protect the club and the players and I would do the same again at any time. Because I was convinced that this was necessary in order to focus entirely on sporting success. Personal interests did not play a role for me. My goal was, is and will always be the same: to develop the players and be successful. I am grateful to have been part of the history of Eintracht Frankfurt and wish the club all the best for the future.”
Sporting director Markus Krösche ultimately concluded that a fresh direction was needed, and with Riera’s assistants Pablo Remon Arteta and Lorenzo Dolcetti also departing with immediate effect, it was a clean sweep.