Ex-Liverpool Winger Albert Riera Forced Out Of First Press Conference As Olimpija Ljubljana Boss By Angry Ultras
Albert Riera's first press conference as Olimpija Ljubljana head coach ended in chaotic scenes after angry ultras confronted the former Liverpool winger.
Riera, 40, was unveiled as the new coach of the Slovenian club at a presentation on Monday.
But the press conference was interrupted when more than a dozen angry ultras invaded the room to stage a protest.
😡 ¡¡¡LAMENTABLE!!!
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) July 4, 2022
😱 Los ultras del Olimpija Ljubiljana expulsan a Albert Riera en su presentación como nuevo entrenador del club
📻 #PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/hbpNG2cO5Q
The supporters, many of whom were wearing balaclavas, angrily confronted the club's sporting director Mladen Rudonja and Riera, forcing the former Liverpool man to leave the room.
According to Spanish outlet El Partidazo de COPE, the ultras were unhappy with the dismissal of former head coach Robert Prosinecki, who was sacked last week after a falling out with club president, Adam Delius.
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Prosinecki was dismissed after just three months in the role and replaced with former Spain international Riera.
It's a bumpy start for Riera in what is his first senior managerial job, after spending two years as assistant at Turkish club Galatasaray.
He took his first training session as Olimpija head coach on Monday.
His first competitive game comes on Thursday when Olimpija take on Luxembourgian club Differdange 03 in the first qualifying round for the UEFA Europa Conference League.
During his playing career, Riera spent two seasons at Liverpool after joining the club in an £8m move from Espanyol in 2008.
He would score five goals in 56 appearances for the Reds before leaving for Olympiacos in 2010.
Riera also had spells at Bordeaux, Galatasaray, Watford, Udinese and Majorca, while he spent six months on loan at Manchester City during the 2005-06 season.
He finally retired in 2018 after short-lived spells at Slovenian clubs Zavrc and Koper.
Rory O'Callaghan