FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) 鈥� Eintracht Frankfurt is looking for a new coach after announcing Albert Riera’s departure following his short and turbulent spell in charge of the Bundesliga club.
Frankfurt said late Sunday it had 鈥渕utually agreed to part ways鈥� with Riera and assistant coaches Pablo Remon Arteta and Lorenzo Dolcetti 鈥渨ith immediate effect.鈥�
The decision came a day after in its last game of the season, a result that left the team eighth in the standings, just outside the European spots.
That match was marked by fan protests directed toward Riera, who publicly fell out with Frankfurt’s top scorer Jonathan Burkardt and had heated outbursts against what he felt was unfair media coverage in recent weeks.
Burkardt, who scored both goals against Stuttgart, was fined by the club for insulting Riera after scoring in the team鈥檚 previous game, a 3-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund.
Frankfurt failed to win any of its last five games, with three defeats ultimately ending its hopes of European qualification.
鈥淭hanks for nothing, Alberto,鈥� read one banner displayed by fans during the team鈥檚 final game.
Riera and his assistants were and appointed on Jan. 31 to take over from , who was fired after a winless run of four games. It was seven winless games by the time Riera took over from interim coach Dennis Schmitt.
Riera oversaw four wins, five draws, and five defeats in charge of Frankfurt.
鈥淔ollowing an open and honest analysis of the sporting development, we came to the conclusion that we want to take a different path going into next season,鈥� Frankfurt sporting director Markus Kr枚sche said.
Riera, who stressed his departure was by mutual agreement, defended his actions while coach.
鈥淢y only focus was to improve the team and achieve success,鈥� the Spanish coach said. 鈥淚 felt it was my duty to protect the club and the players, and I would act the same way again at any time.鈥�
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