FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Eintracht Frankfurt is looking for a new coach after announcing Albert Riera's departure following his short and turbulent spell in charge of the Bundesliga club.
Frankfurt said late Sunday it had “mutually agreed to part ways” with Riera and assistant coaches Pablo Remon Arteta and Lorenzo Dolcetti “with immediate effect.”
The decision came a day after Frankfurt drew 2-2 with Stuttgart in its last game of the season, a result that left the team eighth in the standings, just outside the European spots.
That match was marked by fan protests directed toward Riera, who publicly fell out with Frankfurt's top scorer Jonathan Burkardt and had heated outbursts against what he felt was unfair media coverage in recent weeks.
Burkardt, who scored both goals against Stuttgart, was fined by the club for insulting Riera after scoring in the team’s previous game, a 3-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund.
Frankfurt failed to win any of its last five games, with three defeats ultimately ending its hopes of European qualification.
“Thanks for nothing, Alberto,” read one banner displayed by fans during the team’s final game.
Riera and his assistants were coaxed by Frankfurt from Slovenia's NK Celje and appointed on Jan. 31 to take over from Dino Toppmöller, who was fired after a winless run of four games. It was seven winless games by the time Riera took over from interim coach Dennis Schmitt.
Riera oversaw four wins, five draws, and five defeats in charge of Frankfurt.
“Following an open and honest analysis of the sporting development, we came to the conclusion that we want to take a different path going into next season,” Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche said.
Riera, who stressed his departure was by mutual agreement, defended his actions while coach.
“My only focus was to improve the team and achieve success,” the Spanish coach said. “I felt it was my duty to protect the club and the players, and I would act the same way again at any time.”
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Frankfurt's head coach Albert Riera reacts during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt in Dortmund, Germany, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Frankfurt's head coach Albert Riera wlaks onto the pitch before the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt in Dortmund, Germany, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Frankfurt's head coach Albert Riera reacts disappointed during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt in Dortmund, Germany, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Roki Sasaki yielded one run and struck out eight over seven sharp innings, Kyle Tucker had three hits and drove in three runs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the weekend Freeway Series with a 10-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Sasaki (2-3) made the best start of his two-year major league career at Angel Stadium, allowing four hits while setting career highs in innings and strikeouts without issuing a walk in 91 pitches. After a wild rookie season with a rocky beginning, a lengthy injury absence and an improbable transformation into an effective playoff closer in October, Sasaki is making progress on settling into the rotation.
Shohei Ohtani and Andy Pages delivered two-run singles in the fourth inning of the fifth straight victory for the Dodgers, who outscored the Halos by a combined 31-3 in the first series of the season between the two-time World Series champions and the team with the majors’ worst record.
Ohtani had three singles at his former home stadium, giving him eight hits and eight RBIs in his past four games. A recent slump prompted the Dodgers to give their four-time MVP two days off from hitting earlier this week.
Grayson Rodriguez (0-1) gave up seven runs and seven hits and four walks while working into the fourth inning in his debut for the Angels, who acquired the right-hander from Baltimore in the offseason. Rodriguez hadn't pitched in the majors since July 2024 because of multiple injuries, including shoulder inflammation that sidelined him this spring.
Yoán Moncada had an RBI single for the Angels, who have lost six straight.
World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (3-3, 3.60 ERA) takes the mound in San Diego on Monday night in the Dodgers' first meeting of the season with the NL West rival Padres.
Walbert Ureña (1-4, 3.29 ERA) takes the mound at Angel Stadium on Monday to open a four-game series with the Athletics.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Los Angeles Dodgers' Kyle Tucker slides into home plate to score off of a sacrifice fly by Miguel Rojas during the second of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Grayson Rodriguez throws to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani follows through on an RBI single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki throws to a Los Angeles Angels batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
