Albert Riera’s debut season as a manager was memorable; he overcame dissenting ultras to win a trophy double – before resigning.
Ultras interrupted Riera’s first press conference as Olimpija Ljubljana’s manager to voice their opposition to the club’s ownership, which caused controversy.
The Spanish manager of the Slovenian club decided to call off his news conference early but continued in that role and went on to have a great deal of success.
Olimpija won the PrvaLiga in April, finishing the regular season six points ahead of NK Celje to secure their third championship since their founding in 2005 and their first since 2017–18.
Riera, a talented winger in his playing days who also frequently played left back, spent two years with Liverpool before leaving for Olympiakos in 2010 over a fallout with manager Rafa Benitez.
His managerial approach has received high praise, and Olimpija won the Slovenian Football Cup earlier this month after winning the PrvaLiga.
Less than three weeks after Olimpija’s 2-1 victory over Maribor in the championship game, Riera has made clear that he will be leaving.
The 41-year-old thanked the team “for this opportunity” in a statement on Instagram, paying homage to his players and the Olimpija supporters.
However, Riera provided more details about his departure in conversations with the Slovenian publication Sport Klub, making hints about meddling from the club’s board.
As a coach, I am aware of what I can influence. These are my team members. He claimed previously in May that “this worked for me all year.
“I didn’t let anyone influence my choices in any way.”
it’s just how I operate, and everyone who knows me is aware of it, but it appears that I made a mistake.
“Winning [trophies] is definitely a horrible thing in Slovenia, and you are no longer a coach if you do it.
In a subsequent interview, he continued: “[During contract talks], they started discussing how the sale of players may effect my pay.
“The athletes I coach. I’m a coach, not an agent. It is filthy and not my job.
“And then my team drastically declines, and we have to recruit players once more. That is illogical.
“However, there was no precise offer or quantity. I realized at this point that our perspectives are different. I’m unable to accept it. The club and Riera “do not share the same views,” Olimpija sporting director Goran Boromisa said, adding, “unfortunately we cannot satisfy the desired financial appetites.”
With accolades for his playing style as well as trophies to show for his time in Slovenia, Riera is not expected to be short on offers when it comes to his next club.
