Albert Riera Vidal (born 28 December 1983) is a Spanish professional football manager and former player who is the head coach of OFC Professional League club Vanuatu United. Riera spent the majority of his playing career in New Zealand, mainly appearing as a defensive midfielder for Auckland City in the New Zealand Football Championship and for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.
Playing career Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Riera played with local teams, at the beginning in Aragon (CD Binéfar and Atlético Monzón), and later in Catalonia (CF Balaguer, FC Benavent and CFJ Mollerussa).
Auckland City Riera debuted with Auckland City on 21 February 2011, coming on as a substitute in the 73rd minute of a match against AS Magenta in the 2010–11 OFC Champions League.AS Magenta vs Auckland City FC – Match Summary Riera and Auckland City went on to win the Champions League, with Riera coming on as a substitute in two games (against Magenta and against Waitakere UnitedAuckland City FC vs Waitakere United – Match Summary ) and starting in two (against TefanaAuckland City FC vs AS Tefana – Match Summary and against AmicaleAuckland City FC vs Amicale FC – Match Summary ). In the 2010–11 New Zealand Football Championship Riera played in a total of five games, as well as the four games in the OFC Champions League.
In the 2011–12 season Riera played in 24 matches with Auckland City. Domestically, he played in 14 matches in the New Zealand Football Championship, in which Auckland City won the premiership, and in the ASB Charity Cup match against Waitakere United. Riera also played in all 8 matches of the OFC Champions League, in which he won the Golden Ball award for best player of the tournament, and played together with Auckland City in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they were eliminated in the first round, after losing to Kashiwa Reysol.
In the 2012–13 season Riera played in 26 matches with Auckland City. Domestically, he played in 16 matches in the New Zealand Football Championship, in which Auckland City took 2nd place, and in the ASB Charity Cup match against Waitakere United. Riera scored his first goal in the opening round of the domestic league against Canterbury United. Riera also played in 8 matches of the OFC Champions League, helping Auckland City win their fifth title of the competition, and their third consecutive title. Once again he played for Auckland City in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they were eliminated in the first round, after losing to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Wellington Phoenix Riera was signed by Wellington Phoenix of the A-League on 7 October 2013, after they had played a pre-season friendly against Auckland City. He debuted for Wellington Phoenix in the opening match of the 2013–14 season against Brisbane Roar, coming on as a substitute in the 55th minute. Halfway through the season, he signed a year-long extension to his contract with Wellington Phoenix. Riera was named the Phoenix's player of the year for the 2013–14 season.
Riera announced his retirement from the Phoenix on 21 May 2016.
Return to Auckland City Riera's retirement was short lived, as he signed for his former club Auckland City for the 2016–17 New Zealand Football Championship season.
Coaching career He left Auckland City at the end of the 2020–21 season to take up a role as assistant manager of West Coast Rangers, newly formed to compete in the Northern League, along with former Auckland City teammate Ángel Berlanga. On 4 May 2021, after a poor start to the 2021 Northern League season, manager Chris Acott stepped down and was replaced by Riera; however, West Coast Rangers could not avoid relegation to NRFL Division 1.
On 1 December 2021, it was announced that Riera would return to Auckland City as their new manager for the 2022 Northern League season. On 21 January 2025, Riera stepped down as Auckland City manager.
On 1 June 2025, it was announced Riera would be taking over as Vanuatu side Galaxy as manager.
On 13 November 2025, Christchurch United announced Riera as their manager for the 2026 season. He was relieved of his duties after failing to automatically qualify for the restructured 2027 National League.
Personal life In October 2018, Riera became a New Zealand citizen.
Career statistics ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAuckland City2010–11NZ Premiership20—4030902011–12120—80402402012–13131—8150262Total27100201120592Wellington Phoenix2013–14A-League170———1702014–15260——102702015–16240———240Total670000010680Auckland City2016–17NZ Premiership140—60302302017–18160—00301902018–1950—40101002019–2050—20—702020–21110——00110Total5100012070700Career total1451003212001972
Managerial statistics
TeamNatFromToRecordGWDLWin %West Coast RangersMay 2021November 2021Auckland CityNovember 202121 January 2025Galaxy1 June 20251 November 2025Christchurch United1 January 2026presentTotal
Honours
Player Auckland City New Zealand Football Championship Premiers: 2011–12 ASB Charity Cup: 2011 OFC Champions League: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13 A-League All Stars: 2014
Individual OFC Golden Ball: 2011–12
Manager Auckland City OFC Champions League: 2022, 2023, 2024 New Zealand National League: 2022, 2024 Chatham Cup: 2022 Northern League: 2022, 2023, 2024
References
External links Auckland City official profile