Albert Riera set to become Red Star Belgrade coach as final talks loom

Red Star Belgrade has chosen Albert Riera as its next head coach and the club is expected to complete final negotiations imminently, sources say. The formal announcement could come as soon as August 13, 2026, or by the morning of Friday, August 14, 2026.

Final talks scheduled in Belgrade

According to reports, the decisive meetings are slated for Thursday, August 13, 2026, in Belgrade and will include Riera and his agent Andy Bara. If talks go as planned, Riera will arrive to take charge at the Marakana — the club's home ground — within days.

Riera was already in discussions with the club earlier this year and was considered a candidate some time ago. At one point the Red Star leadership decided to keep Milojević in place through the end of the autumn part of the season and to return Dejan Stanković to the club later, delaying any immediate appointment.

Club developments in European competition also affected the timing: had Red Star not beaten Lille in the Europa League group stage, Riera would likely have been installed as coach much earlier. After that period he extended his contract with Celje under a clause allowing him to leave if an offer arrived from one of the stronger leagues.

In February Riera moved to Eintracht, where he stayed for only three months; he is currently without a club. Barring an unexpected twist, his next destination is expected to be Red Star Belgrade.

All parties involved are working to finalise the contract details and the club could confirm the appointment once the signatures are in place.

Photo: press material from the event