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Albert Riera, manager of Auckland City FC
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Albert Riera, manager of Auckland City FC
18.05.2023

Albert Riera is the living example that when something is for you, the entire universe conspires in your favor no matter how much you resist. The Catalan footballer who wanted to quit football and go away for a while to learn English has already had a 10-year professional career between New Zealand and Australia.

1. How does a Catalan end up playing football in Auckland, New Zealand?

I spent many years playing in third division teams in Catalonia. I combined football with my job as a medical transport technician, but maintaining both was a very demanding pace. To disconnect a bit, some friends and I decided to take a year's leave to learn English and we headed to New Zealand.

My intention was never to go to New Zealand to play football. Precisely, I wanted to disconnect from football. But once there, I met Ramón Tribulietx, the coach who gave me the opportunity to play for Auckland City, and everything changed.

2. How did you experience the contrast between our football culture and theirs?

Adapting to their football style is not easy. They have a strong influence from English football, which is a tougher and more direct game. Ramón helped me a lot in the adaptation process.

One of the things that struck me the most was their honesty. For example, when the ball goes out of bounds, here we try to cheat a lot. On the other hand, in New Zealand it is not well seen, not even by your own colleagues. Surely it is a rugby influence.

But it also talks about the culture of the country, it is not worth winning at any price. Winning by doing things well, following the rules and honestly is highly valued. I liked this a lot, and we tried to instill it in new people who come from abroad.

3. What do you remember from your first period as an Auckland City FC player?

Since the reason I came to New Zealand was not to play football, I had very low expectations and every day was an experience. I took it as another way of traveling. Use soccer as a vehicle to get to know new places. And if you can also win, do it well and when people enjoy, everything is easier.

I had a great time, and they offered me to renew  because I did it well. So everything has gone very tied. One year led to another and now it's ten years.

4. In the 2013-14 season, you signed for the Wellington Phoenix (Australia), you win the award for the best player of the season and you are selected for the team of best players in the Australian league. Is that season the highest point of your career as a footballer?

I was twenty-eight years old and had been playing for Auckland for 3 seasons. In fact, I had in mind to retire at the end of that season. But once again, football amazed me. After that friendly match, the coach of the Wellington Phoenix, a professional team of the Australian league, offered me a tryout.

I thought they weren't going to take me, but at the end of the training they offered me a one-year contract. And after one season, they offered me to renew for three more years. At that time I was already thirty years old, but when you are presented with such an opportunity, you cannot say no.

They called me up for the All-Stars selection and I was able to play 90 minutes against Juventus Turin. It was a dream come true. In English they call it: “late-bloomer”. Normally, this happens in your twenties and it happened to me in my thirties. So I am very grateful to football. Being a manager also came naturally and it's a way of thanking Auckland City for the opportunity they gave me.

5.In that "All-Stars" game you shared a dressing room with Alessandro Del Piero. What was your experience playing with a player like him?

For the All-Stars, a selection of the best players in the league, it was quite an experience to have Del Piero in the  dressing room. Because what you do, if you like football or have played it, is watch these players. Not only on the pitch, but also off it. You observe how they behave and the professionalism with which they train. It's a great experience and you learn a lot just by watching.

In that game he was already forty years old and you could see the desire to continue playing. You saw him in every training session, as if he was twenty years old. When you know that your football career is ending, that's when you enjoy it the most.

6. You return to Auckland City, this time as a coach, you win the OFC Champions League, which allows you to play in the FIFA Club World Cup. Did you imagine playing this competition in your first year as a manager?

In Auckland City you have to win. It is a team that has a winning culture and background for many years, thanks to Ramón Tribureitx. Obviously, you always aim for the best, but I didn't expect to win four titles in my first year as manager!

7. Looking to the future. What are the challenges for Albert Riera's Auckland City in the future? Will we see Albert Riera in Europe?

The coaches depend a lot on the results. At the moment I can't complain, but I am well aware that one day my luck may change and I may have to leave. I always try to do my best and I enjoy it.

In Europe I don't think you see me as a coach... You can never say never, but I don't have it in mind. I really like Oceania, I'm in love with the continent. I love the A-League, quality of life and professionalism go hand in hand and that attracts me a lot.

8. How has the experience of Albert Riera and Auckland City been at the Mediterranean Sport Village facilities?

Excellent! They have given us all the facilities from minute 1. The training fields are incredible and the accommodation is fantastic, it is exactly what we wanted and needed, we cannot ask for anything more. In addition to having the gym and spa at your disposal. Above all, I value the humane treatment, which in the end is what makes Mediterranean Sport Village have excellent quality.

9. Would you recommend other professional teams to come and do a stage at the Mediterranean Sport Village?

Definitely! The experience has been unique. Many of our players have never had facilities like these in their lives. It has been a great experience for them. So I would recommend anyone to come to the Mediterranean Sport Village, because there they will have everything they need.