Ex-Bordeaux boss Riera rejoins Slovenia's Celje

Former Liverpool winger Albert Riera said on Monday he has left French club Bordeaux after their bankruptcy and relegation to the third tier to return as coach of Slovenian outfit NK Celje.

Spaniard Riera, 42, spent just less than one season with Bordeaux, having arrived in October.

"The only reason for returning is the motivation that the club and I share to put the club on the football map of Europe," Riera said on social media after signing a contract until 2026.

"Thanks to the management of NK Celje for making it possible," he added.

Last week, six-time French champions Bordeaux announced they will become an amateur club for the first time in almost 90 years after filing for bankruptcy.

The club needs to find 40 million euros ($43.6 million) to balance their books and had been in talks with the owners of Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), before the American investors pulled out of negotiations earlier this month.