Latest news with #NKCelje
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
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. 1 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. 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. Former Premier League club closing in on return to EFL despite finishing 23 POINTS behind play-off opponents 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.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fiorentina and Real Betis into Conference League semi-finals
Fiorentina's Moise Kean celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter final second leg soccer match between ACF Fiorentina and NK Celje at Artemio Franchi stadium. Marco Bucco/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa Fiorentina and Real Betis have made it to the Conference League semi-finals despite being held to draws on Thursday. Fiorentina played out a 2-2 draw with Celje, but advanced thanks to a 2-1 win in the first leg. Advertisement Betis, meanwhile, took a 1-0 lead but conceded a 1-1 draw to Jagiellonia. The Spanish side, however, won the first match 2-0 and the result was enough to make it to the next round. The two teams will now play against each other in the semi-finals. Later, Chelsea host Legia Warsaw with a 3-0 advantage, while Rapid Vienna welcome Djurgården. NK Celje's Aljosa Matko celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter final second leg soccer match between ACF Fiorentina and NK Celje at Artemio Franchi stadium. Marco Bucco/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa
