FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) – Eintracht Frankfurt is looking for a new manager after announcing the departure of Alberto Riera after a short and tumultuous tenure at the helm of the Bundesliga club.
Frankfurt announced late on Sunday that Riera and assistant coaches Pablo Lemon Arteta and Lorenzo Dolcetti had “mutually agreed to part ways” with immediate effect.
The decision came the next day. Frankfurt drew 2-2 with Stuttgart. In the final game of the season, the team was in 8th place in the standings, just outside the European quota.
The match was marked by fan outcry directed at Riera, who had a public falling out with Frankfurt’s top scorer Jonathan Burkhardt and had been furious over what he felt were unfair media coverage in recent weeks.
Burkhardt, who scored twice against Stuttgart, was fined by the club for insulting Riera after scoring in the 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
Frankfurt were unable to win their last five matches, ending with three defeats, ending their hopes of qualifying for Europe.
A banner held up by a fan during the team’s final game read, “Thank you for everything, Alberto.”
Riela and her assistants Recruited to Frankfurt from Slovenia’s NK Celje He was appointed as his successor on January 31st. dino topmellerwas fired after four games without a win. Riera was winless in seven games before taking over from interim coach Dennis Schmidt.
Riera led Frankfurt to a record of four wins, five draws and five losses.
“After a frank analysis of the sporting developments, we have come to the conclusion that we would like to take a different path for next season,” Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krochet said.
Riera stressed that his resignation was a mutual agreement and defended his actions while coaching.
“My only focus was to improve the team and achieve success,” said the Spanish coach. “I felt it was my duty to protect the club and the players and I will always do the same.”
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