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Coaching changes, returning players and transfers
By Stephan Köhnlein – A new coach for SGE, an old acquaintance at FSV05, two talents for OFC and a good start for SVWW – that's how things currently look at the four other big clubs in the Rhine-Main area.
Frankfurt
Albert Riera has been appointed the new head coach of Eintracht Frankfurt. The 43-year-old Spaniard took over the position on February 2nd. His contract runs until June 30th, 2028. He is tasked with halting the Eagles' slide, as they have been winless since mid-December.
Riera most recently worked at Slovenian first division club NK Celje, whom he led to the national cup title in his first year in charge. This season, the club from the northeast of the country sits atop the table with a twelve-point lead over their nearest rivals. Furthermore, under Riera's leadership, Celje has reached the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League.
Riera, born in Manacor, Mallorca, in 1982, began his football career on the Balearic island. From RCD Mallorca, he went on to play in France, Spain, England, Turkey, Italy, and finally Slovenia, where he ended his career. Albert Riera made 16 appearances for the Spanish national team.
Mainz
Dimo Wache, long-time goalkeeping coach at SV Darmstadt 98, is returning to 1. FSV Mainz 05 as a club ambassador. Mainz announced this on Tuesday. The 52-year-old, a record appearance holder with 406 competitive matches for FSV between 1995 and 2010, is also their honorary captain.
Wache, who remained a resident of Mainz even after his playing career, will primarily assume representative duties in the future, representing Mainz 05 at home matches, CSR, marketing, and sponsor events, and supporting the public relations and events of the 05ER Football Academy. Wache will make his first public appearance in his new role on the 05ER float at the Mainz Rose Monday parade on February 16th.
Offenbach
Regional league side Kickers Offenbach have strengthened their squad with two talented players: 19-year-old defender Noah Lehmann joins from the U19 team of Bundesliga club Union Berlin, having previously received his footballing education at RB Leipzig and Energie Cottbus. Nathan Doganay arrives from Hessenliga side Rot-Weiß Walldorf. The 19-year-old winger was trained at clubs including Mainz and Wehen Wiesbaden. Kickers, currently twelfth in the league, will kick off 2026 with the Hessen Cup quarter-final against FSV Frankfurt on February 13th.
Wehen Wiesbaden
SV Wehen Wiesbaden has started the second half of the third division season with two wins and a draw, and with five points separating them from the promotion playoff spot, they can still realistically hope for promotion. Most recently, they drew 1-1 away at Rot-Weiss Essen, who currently sit fourth in the table and are also in contention for promotion. Forward Fatih Kaya equalized for Wehen Wiesbaden with 15 minutes remaining.
Beyond the Lilies – News from Frankfurt, Mainz, Offenbach and Wehen
Stephan Köhnlein is the editor-in-chief of the independent online magazine Lilienblog, which focuses on SV Darmstadt 98. In this section, he takes a monthly look beyond the Lilies to the other football clubs in the Rhine-Main area.
