Eintracht Frankfurt is experiencing a negative atmosphere, even with European qualification still a possibility. Coach Albert Riera has managed to divide the team in record time. However, the underlying problems run even deeper.
The probability is not just high; it’s enormous: Eintracht Frankfurt will likely dismiss coach Albert Riera, who was only appointed in February, ahead of schedule. Given the developments under the Spaniard, this has become an almost unavoidable decision.
It’s not solely the sporting aspect that will lead to this decision. Riera’s record at the Riederwald is remarkably even: four wins, four draws, and four losses. This places them ninth in the league, four points behind fourth place, if there were a separate Riera table.
Certainly, a points-per-game average of 1.33 and only one win in the last six games is not a glowing achievement for the 44-year-old. Yet, SGE is still in contention for the seventh spot, which leads to the Conference League. While SC Freiburg has a one-point advantage, Eintracht boasts a significantly better goal difference by five.
What has caused the coach to stumble are his leadership and public image. In record time, Riera has alienated a significant portion of the players, including numerous key performers – if such players even exist in this very turbulent season. Dozens of questionable internal details about his management of the team have emerged since Riera took charge. He vehemently dismissed these as nonsense in a recent press conference, revealing a catastrophic understanding of media relations.
Eintracht Frankfurt Has Reached Its Limits
Sporting director Markus Krösche is left with no choice but to let Riera go to prevent further damage to the club. There is widespread irritation among the team, club management, and fans regarding Riera’s behavior. However, he is not the sole culprit.
The blame must unequivocally be placed on Krösche. The 45-year-old built the squad and has hired three coaches this season. Given the team’s current form, missing out on a European competition – which would be only the second time since 2018 – is the realistic scenario. Krösche and his club are facing a genuine pile of wreckage.
While it’s understandable that board spokesperson Axel Hellmann recently stated that it’s «certainly not a crisis» for a club like Eintracht if the question near the end of the season is whether they finish seventh or eighth, what weighs heavier is the fact that after years of organic growth, marked by the Europa League victory in 2022 and their first Champions League qualification, Frankfurt has reached its limits.
Frankfurt’s Growth: ‘Can We Still Keep Up?’
The current squad is poorly assembled. For instance, there’s a lack of a central defender and a proper defensive midfielder. Krösche’s knack for talent identification, which once made him one of the league’s top managers, seems to have deserted him. As early as January, Hellmann stated at a members’ meeting: «I believe we misjudged the squad in one or two areas and positions and must admit: one or two individuals simply haven’t worked out.»
This, in turn, is detrimental to the business model. Frankfurt urgently needs to generate transfer revenue and ideally secure Champions League income to maintain the status quo. Personnel costs have increased by almost 36 million euros over the past two seasons.
If they don’t play in Europe next year, the deficit of 8.4 million euros, already reported in the summer, could potentially climb towards the 20 million euro mark. Higher revenues naturally lead to higher expenses. «Can we still keep up? Or do we have to say at some point: This is where it stops for us, we need to look elsewhere,» stated finance director Julien Zamberk recently.
Krösche’s Biggest Mistake: The Experiment with Riera
Therefore, for both economic and sporting reasons, Krösche must orchestrate a significant overhaul in the summer to get Eintracht back on track, even emotionally. After the disappointing 1-2 loss against HSV on Saturday, the home crowd repeatedly booed loudly. The sense of identification, a major asset for the club not too long ago, has noticeably faded.
The key will be whether Krösche’s transfer instincts function again. Prices have risen significantly everywhere; former niche markets like France or the Scandinavian countries have become more expensive and are intensely scouted by dozens of competitors. Krösche will have to tell and sell a different story in the future, and SGE will have to reinvent itself to some extent.
It has been clear for a long time that the squad needs considerable fresh blood given the turmoil of this season. However, the necessity of also finding a new coach complicates the situation. Embarking on the experiment with the extremely unconventional Riera, to whom they initially intended to give a full pre-season and a complete transfer summer (Krösche: «Albert will not be judged by what comes out at the end of this season»), is Krösche’s biggest mistake. It failed before it even began.
Riera Has Divided the Team at Breakneck Speed
It is astonishing how someone with an excellent reputation like Krösche could err so significantly in choosing Dino Toppmöller’s successor. The intention to place a confident coach with high authority in front of a rather ordinary squad might have been correct. However, Riera’s difficult self-perception was already well-known in the industry. It is not surprising that this quickly ignites a wildfire in a volatile location like Frankfurt.
«He is unfortunately so convinced of himself that he would even ask God: I am here now, where are you sitting?» Adam Delius, the president of Riera’s former club Olimpija Ljubljana, once told ran.de. «If he doesn’t get a psychologist and a media advisor by his side, he will fail due to himself.»
Just recently, Can Uzun, who was criticized by Riera for his defensive work without being asked, said: «The atmosphere can’t be great.» He added: «But we are trying to stay a team.» Riera has divided this team at breakneck speed; according to Bild, Friday’s match in Dortmund is already a final for the coach. He was Krösche’s desired coach, with whom Eintracht reportedly wants to extend his contract, considering the uncertain future. He will soon be dismissed – and will have to immediately clean up the mess he is responsible for.
Albert Riera: His Record as Coach of Eintracht Frankfurt
| Competitive Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goal Difference | Points Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 17:15 | 1.33 |