Albert Riera has no false expectations of the Hessian winter weather and is therefore “planning” a trip to the Balearic Islands with a wink.
“This is typical Frankfurt weather,” said the new coach of the Bundesliga soccer club Eintracht Frankfurt upon arrival at his new place of work: “I wasn’t expecting Mallorca temperatures either. We often win at first – then we fly to Mallorca.”
The 43-year-old Spaniard took over his new team on Monday as the successor to Dino Toppmöller, who was dismissed around two weeks ago. The new coach will make his debut on Friday in the away game at Union Berlin (8.30 p.m./Sky). Riera most recently managed NK Celje in Slovenia.
There is a lot to do for the former Spanish international at Eintracht: the now eliminated Champions League participant has been waiting for a win for eight competitive games.
“The first meeting isn’t about tactics. It’s about the people, the group, discipline, rules. Looking each other in the eyes, trusting each other,” Riera told “Bild”: “It’s important to trust the players. Then I explain to them how we defend and what I expect on offense.” For him, it’s about making his new protégés “better.”
