Albert Riera, a Spanish coach previously coveted by Dinamo Zagreb, has made his Bundesliga debut with Eintracht Frankfurt. In his first match, the team drew 1-1 against Union Berlin, with both goals scored in the last few minutes of the match. Brown put Eintracht ahead at the 84th minute, but Querfeld equalized with a penalty just three minutes later. Riera's previous success in Slovenia, where he won the domestic league and cup with Olimpija Ljubljana, has set high expectations as he transitions to a bigger league.

Riera had also notably led Celje to a sensational run, including a spot in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League last season, demonstrating his capability of competing on European stages. This track record made him an appealing candidate for higher-profile clubs, leading to interest from Dinamo and Red Star but ultimately, he accepted the offer from Eintracht Frankfurt. Riera's decision to reject Dinamo prior to their acquisition of Mario Kovačević illustrates the high regard in which he was held in Croatian football prior to his move to Germany.

The implications of Riera's coaching career will be significant for both himself and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga and for the perception of Croatian football abroad. His ability to compete against top Bundesliga teams will be closely watched and may influence future hiring trends in the region as Croatian coaches continue to gain recognition in European football.