ALBERT RIERA IS ZVEZDA’S NEW COACH: The Spaniard immediately addressed the fans – in Serbian! (VIDEO)

The saga is finally over – Crvena zvezda has a new head coach! As we have learned, Spanish coach Albert Rijera officially signed a contract with the Serbian champions late Thursday evening, removing the final formal obstacles to his arrival at “Marakana”.

After the final details were agreed with his agent Endi Bara, Rijera committed to a two-year contract, meaning he will remain until the summer of 2028. The official promotion and presentation of Zvezda’s new coach to the media are scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. at the “Rajko Mitić” stadium.

First message

Albert Rijera, the new coach of Crvena zvezda, had a message for the fans of the team from Marakana.

Rijera posted a message on the official Instagram account of the red-and-whites:

“Zvezdaši, ozdravite, pa da se vraćamo”, alluding to the mood that currently prevails around the “Rajko Mitić” stadium following the defeat to Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

Zvezda will face Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League playoff.

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Објава коју дели FK Crvena zvezda (@crvenazvezdafk)

No more controversial clause that prevented his arrival a year ago

Let us recall that Zvezda also desperately wanted the Spaniard last summer, but his then-club Celje demanded as much as 5,000,000 euros in compensation. The red-and-whites then turned to Dejan Stanković, while Rijera later moved to Eintracht Frankfurt for 1.3 million euros.

As he did not stay long in Germany (he was sacked after just 14 matches), this time there were no negotiations with clubs or obstacles in the form of million-euro clauses. Negotiations were held directly with Bara, and an agreement was swiftly reached late Thursday evening.

Immediately “into the fire” against Viktoria from Plzen

Unlike in the previous period, the Spaniard is now seeking the challenge of his career at a place where the pressure is at its peak and there is plenty of work to be done. Zvezda’s management chose him from a shortlist of three candidates, convinced that his temperament and style of play can lift the team after the painful elimination by Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Champions League qualifiers.

Rijera will not have much time to get the team playing together.