Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany on Eintracht Frankfurt counterpart Albert Riera: “He wasn’t afraid to work in countries like Slovenia. I like this path.”

1

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has spoken about his counterpart, Albert Riera, ahead of their game against Eintracht Frankfurt. 

When asked about die Adler’s new head coach, Kompany said:

“He was also at Manchester City, a year before I arrived. It’s a small world; somehow we all know each other. As a player, he marched a lot, could cross well. But that was 20 years ago—my memory isn’t that good. After his stints in England and Spain, he wasn’t afraid to work in countries like Slovenia either. I like that path. It’ll give him a lot for the future and be a strength.”

Riera has gained most of his managerial experience away from major nations in Europe. The Spaniard first started as an assistant manager with Galatasaray, before moving to Slovenian sides NK Olimpija and NK Celje, where he had two spells, split between a brief stint at Bordeaux in France. 

Kompany and Riera’s shared history:

Both Kompany and Riera played for Manchester City. The Spaniard was there on a six-month loan in 2006, two years before Kompany swapped Hamburg for the Premier League side.

The pair have actually played against each other twice before in the 2008/09 season, where Liverpool were fighting for the Premier League title and won 3-2 in the first meeting in Manchester, before drawing the return game at Anfield.

GGFN | Jack Meenan