Forgotten former Liverpool winger leading contender to become next Hull City manager after stint in SLOVENIA
FORMER Liverpool star Albert Riera is a leading contender to become the next Hull City boss.
Riera is currently manager of NK Celje, who are fourth in Slovenia‘s top flight going into the final day.
The ex-Anfield winger has worked wonders in his second stint as the club’s boss but is thought to be keen on managing in England.
And Hull are on the lookout for a new man in charge after they sacked Ruben Selles at the end of the season.
Selles had steered Hull to Championship safety on the final day but it was not enough to save his job.
The Spaniard was the third manager to be dismissed by Hull owner Acun Ilicali in the last year along with Liam Rosenior and Tim Walter.
Former Sunderland and Rangers boss Michael Beale has been interviewed by Hull for the vacancy.
While ex-Newcastle midfielder Emre Belozoglu joins Riera on the club’s four-man shortlist.
Riera steered NK Celje to a huge quarter-final berth in the Europa Conference League despite finishing 21st out of 36 teams in the league phase.
After beating Cypriot side APOEL in the knockout play-off, Celje beat Swiss side Lugano via penalties in the last 16.
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But the club crashed out in the final eight after losing 4-3 on aggregate to Serie A side Fiorentina.
A wideman in his playing days, Riera first moved to England in 2006 when Manchester City loaned him in from Espanyol.
In 2008 he joined Liverpool and spent two years at Anfield, scoring five goals and providing nine assists in 56 appearances.
However, his time at the club was cut short after he was suspended by then-manager Rafa Benitez.
The Spaniard made comments to the Spanish press regarding his first team opportunities and was subsequently exiled and transfer listed.
Riera also played for Olympiacos, Galatasaray, Watford, Udinese, Zavrc and Koper.
Since hanging up his boots, Riera has managed alongside Slovenian club NK Olimpija Ljubljana as well as French side Bordeaux.
Riera began his managerial career with Olimpija in July 2022 and went on to win the league title in his first season.