Albert Riera: ‘My players will follow me because I offer them solutions.’ | OneFootball

Albert Riera was presented as Eintracht Frankfurt’s new head coach on Tuesday.

Speaking to gathered members of the press, the Spaniard covered a range of topics from him decision to move to Frankfurt, as well as his first impressions.

“I spoke to Markus Krösche around two and a half years ago, and I’ve followed Eintracht and the Bundesliga even more intently ever since. I’m fully motivated,” said Riera.

“I’m not here to look back at the past. I’m not better or worse than other coaches. I’m confident that my ideas can help and will have an impact. My players will follow me because I offer them solutions.”

On his first impressions of the club, the 43-year-old added: “We’ve got everything we need here, so there are no excuses. The ProfiCamp and the facilities are incredible. Everyone seems to be very motivated.

“The feeling is like when you have a new girlfriend, you get butterflies in your stomach. That’s something we need to keep, everyone should feel that. Every morning. Not just us as a team but everyone at the club who wants to move it forward. Now’s the time to start something good.”

Averaging 1.83 PPM at NK Celje, Riera was lauded for his quick attacking transitions.

Speaking on his philosophy, he added: “We need to give the players the belief that they’re good, strong and quick – that’s exactly how they should feel.

“In football, if you know what you have to do – how to defend in every area of the pitch and what to do with the ball – then you won’t have a problem. Situations need solutions. We’ve got very good players.

“With self-belief you can achieve a great deal. With doubts, you can’t. The players shouldn’t be scared of making mistakes, but it’s important to make fewer mistakes than the opposition. Our game depends on linking up well, so we need a lot of options. We’ll take risks, but in the final third. When we don’t have the ball we won’t be passive – we’ll attack and force mistakes.”

GGFN | Daniel Pinder