Albert Riera awaits good contract in Belgrade, aiming for Europa League

Football coach Albert Riera is set to embark on a financially rewarding chapter in Belgrade, having secured a lucrative contract with Red Star Belgrade. The former coach of Olimpija and Celje is expected to earn a substantial sum, with his base salary alone set at 1 million euros per season. This figure could rise significantly based on his success in European competitions.

The bonuses in Riera's contract are primarily linked to the Serbian champion's performance in Europe. His first opportunity for additional earnings comes with the upcoming Europa League qualifiers, where Red Star aims to advance and avoid dropping into the Conference League. Higher earnings are possible if he can lead the team to the Champions League in the following season.

Should Riera meet all contractual conditions, his earnings in his second year with Red Star could exceed 1.5 million euros. The club found the agreement easier to finalize as they did not have to pay a transfer fee for the new coach. Riera previously moved from Celje to Eintracht Frankfurt, which compensated the Slovenian club, but his tenure in Germany was brief.

Riera is recognized as a temperamental coach, not shying away from strong statements, conflicts, or unconventional moves, a trait many Slovenian fans and journalists can attest to. His impulsiveness could become a challenge in his new environment. The former strategist for Olimpija and Celje will be officially presented on Sunday afternoon at the Rajko Mitić Stadium. He will have limited time to settle in, as his first competitive match, and a crucial step towards his contractual bonuses, awaits on Thursday in the Europa League qualifiers.