The one-time Liverpool wide player, Riera, is currently the boss at the Slovenian team, and he has been victorious in 55 per cent of his games since taking the reins in July 2024.
The Spaniard guided his side to a 2-0 triumph over the League of Ireland’s likely champions, Shamrock Rovers, on Thursday evening; however, events off the field became the main talking point due to a dispute between the two camps.
Shamrock Rovers emerged victorious from that two-legged clash, which was preceded by Riera confidently predicting that his team would win.
After turning around a first-leg deficit against the Slovenian outfit, Rovers’ boss Bradley labelled Riera’s pre-match comments as displaying ‘utter arrogance’, also accusing the former Manchester City player of showing a ‘lack of respect.’
This term, in the group stages of the Europa Conference League, the two teams were once again drawn to compete against each other.
On this occasion, Riera’s Celje emerged with a 2-0 victory, after which the Spaniard criticised Bradley’s managerial career in what Irish media outlets have described as a personal attack directed at the Rovers’ head coach.
Riera implied that Bradley had remained coaching in the League of Ireland for the last nine years due to a lack of interest in his services from teams operating in more distinguished leagues.
“I can honestly say that Shamrock [Rovers] caused no surprise to me at all,” Riera stated after the game. “We are far superior in level [to Shamrock Rovers]. Even playing an extremely average second half, we could have scored even more goals. We allowed them some opportunities, but overall, we demonstrated over the 90 minutes that we are a better team than them. And that’s why we won.
“What transpires on the pitch should remain on the pitch, right? As you respect me, I will respect you. So, I won’t be unpleasant towards you, but if you disrespect me in this manner,” Riera added, alluding to his choice not to shake hands with Bradley at the final whistle.
🗣️”There’s no one coming from abroad. I think this means something.”🗣️”If he did his homework, he wouldn’t be talking like that. It’s quite clear the last few years what my number one priority was.”There’s no love lost between Stephen Bradley and Albert Riera….#LOI October 24, 2025
“Personally, I won’t utter a single word because I’m not acquainted with him, nor do I wish to be.”
“We haven’t even shared a coffee. And in any case, I wouldn’t provide him with the opportunity to have a coffee with me because, even after a year, [he] still hasn’t apologised, and that’s something I simply cannot accept.
“He’s been here for many, many years. I believe it’s been nine years already. Even achieving success here in this country, you still remain in this country. No [club] is bringing anyone in from abroad. I believe this signifies certain things.”
Bradley has since disputed the suggestion that he has remained in Ireland due to his coaching abilities, or lack thereof, citing family considerations as a significant factor in his extended tenure on home ground.
Irish publication Extra.ie defended Bradley, stating: “It’s obvious that Riera isn’t aware of the reasons behind Bradley’s continued presence at Rovers over the years, particularly recently, as his son Josh was undergoing treatment for leukaemia. Bradley has reportedly attracted considerable interest from clubs in England in recent years, but he has chosen to remain at home to support his family during a challenging period.”
In a post-match discussion with RTE, Bradley remarked about Riera: “The man possesses no class whatsoever in any respect. I believe that’s quite evident from his actions.
“So yes, there’s no purpose in feigning mutual affection. Last year, he displayed no respect towards us, and subsequently, he made comments suggesting they would come here and defeat us, ‘blah, blah, blah’. We ended up defeating them. But the manner in which he has spoken truly encapsulates his character.
“I believe that if he had done his research, he wouldn’t be making such remarks. I think it’s quite evident, over the past few years, what my primary concern has been.”
Riera’s Celje currently occupy the third spot in the Conference League standings and lead the Slovenian league table with 10 victories and two draws from their twelve games this season.
