{{Short description|Belgian football manager (born 1957)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = José Riga | image = JoseRiga.JPG | image_size = | caption = Riga in 2011 | full_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|7|30|df=y}} | birth_place = Liège, Belgium | height = | position = Midfielder<ref>{{Worldfootball.net|jose-riga|new_id=pe79226}}</ref> | currentclub = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 1974–1985 | clubs1 = Visé | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 1985–1989 | clubs2 = JS Haccourt | caps2 = | goals2 = | medaltemplates = | manageryears1 = 1991–1996 | managerclubs1 = JS Haccourt | manageryears2 = 1996–2000 | managerclubs2 = Espanola Liège | manageryears3 = 2000–2002 | managerclubs3 = Visé | manageryears4 = 2002–2003 | managerclubs4 = Sprimont Comblain Sport | manageryears5 = 2005–2008 | managerclubs5 = Mons | manageryears6 = 2011–2012 | managerclubs6 = Standard Liège | manageryears7 = 2014 | managerclubs7 = Charlton Athletic | manageryears8 = 2014 | managerclubs8 = Blackpool | manageryears9 = 2015 | managerclubs9 = Standard Liège | manageryears10 = 2015 | managerclubs10 = Metz | manageryears11 = 2016 | managerclubs11 = Charlton Athletic | manageryears12 = 2016–2017 | managerclubs12 = Cercle Brugge | manageryears13 = 2018 | managerclubs13 = Club Africain | manageryears14 = 2019–2022 | managerclubs14 = Visé | manageryears15 = 2022 | managerclubs15 = JS Kabylie }} '''José Riga''' (born 30 July 1957) is a Belgian football manager and former player. He had a fifteen-year playing career as a midfielder, beginning in 1974 when he joined C.S. Visé. He remained with the club for eleven years, before joining fellow Belgian club JS Haccourt in 1985. He played for JS Haccourt for four years. Two years after retiring from playing, he became JS Haccourt's manager.
Riga managed JS Haccourt for five years, departing in 1996. He then managed Espanola Liège (1996–2000), Visé (2000–2002), Sprimont Comblain Sport (2002–2003), Mons (2005–2008) and Standard Liège (2011–2012).
In 2014, he began a year of managing in England, firstly with Charlton Athletic, then Blackpool.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Press Association |date=2014-06-11 |title=José Riga takes over as Blackpool manager on one-year rolling contract |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/11/jose-riga-manager-blackpool |access-date=2024-08-28 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In 2015, he returned to Standard Liège briefly, then managed Metz. In 2016, he returned to Charlton Athletic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=JOSE JEUNECHAMPS APPOINTED CHARLTON'S NEW ASSISTANT HEAD COACH |url=https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=www.eurosport.com}}</ref>
Later in 2016, he managed Cercle Brugge, then Club Africain (2018), Visé (2019–2022)<ref>{{Cite web |title=José Riga de retour à Visé comme manager |url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/jose-riga-de-retour-a-vise-comme-manager-10341293 |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=RTBF |language=fr}}</ref> and JS Kabylie (2022), his last known club.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-09-21 |title=Football : en Afrique du Nord, les entraîneurs sur un siège éjectable |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2022/09/21/football-en-afrique-du-nord-les-entraineurs-sur-un-siege-ejectable_6142623_3212.html |access-date=2024-08-28 |language=fr}}</ref>
==Managerial career== ===Charlton Athletic=== Riga was appointed manager of Charlton Athletic on 11 March 2014, one day after the sacking of Chris Powell, who had been dismissed when he and the club owner were unable to reach agreement over the long-term vision for the club. At the time Charlton were fourth from bottom of the Championship.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/mar/11/chris-powell-sacked-charlton-manager | title=José Riga appointed Charlton head coach after Chris Powell is sacked | work=The Guardian | date=12 March 2014 | access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref> Riga was appointed the manager with a contract until the end of the 2013–14 season; the main task was to avoid relegation. This was achieved on 29 April 2014 following a 3–1 home win against Watford.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.wharf.co.uk/2014/04/charlton-jose-riga-uncertain-o.html | title=Charlton: Jose Riga uncertain on future | work=www.wharf.co.uk | date=29 April 2014 | access-date=2 May 2014 | author=Virtue, Rob | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208024944/http://www.wharf.co.uk/2014/04/charlton-jose-riga-uncertain-o.html | archive-date=8 February 2015 }}</ref>
===Blackpool=== On 3 June 2014, it was reported that Riga had agreed to a deal to become manager of Blackpool, and was set to start the following week.<ref name=gazette6650872>{{cite web|last1=Watt|first1=William|title=Pool agree Riga deal|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/pool-agree-riga-deal-1-6650872|publisher=Blackpool Gazette|access-date=3 June 2014|date=3 June 2014}}</ref> The following day, club chairman Karl Oyston confirmed that there was a verbal agreement in place,<ref name=gazette6653279>{{cite web|last1=Watt|first1=William|title=Oyston: Riga signals fresh start for Blackpool|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/oyston-riga-signals-fresh-start-for-blackpool-1-6653279|publisher=Blackpool Gazette|access-date=4 June 2014|date=4 June 2014}}</ref> and on 11 June he was confirmed as the new manager.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27664334 "Jose Riga: Blackpool confirm ex-Charlton Athletic boss as manager"] - BBC Sport, 11 June 2014</ref> Three weeks later, newspaper reports claimed that Riga was unsettled and ready to quit. Whilst the club and Riga did not comment, no coaching staff had been appointed and even though the club had seven contracted players, no signings had been made. With so few players, no assistant or backroom staff appointed, and the squad due to report back on 30 June, Riga had to delay the start of pre-season training.<ref name=gazette6701352>{{cite web|last1=Watt|first1=William|title=More talk of Pool unrest|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/more-talk-of-pool-unrest-1-6701352|publisher=Blackpool Gazette|access-date=1 July 2014|date=30 June 2014}}</ref>
On 9 July it was confirmed that, with eight players at the club, Riga had three backroom staff, all of whom had agreed to start working the previous week but had still not signed contracts.<ref name=gazette6719519>{{cite web|last1=Watt|first1=William|title=The coaches with no contracts|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/the-coaches-with-no-contracts-1-6719519|publisher=Blackpool Gazette|access-date=12 July 2014|date=9 July 2014}}</ref> Two days later it was stated that tensions were high at the club, and between Riga and Oyston.<ref name=gazette6724013>{{cite web|last1=Watt|first1=William|title=Midfielder returns in attempt to earn Pool contract|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/midfielder-returns-in-attempt-to-earn-pool-contract-1-6724013|publisher=Blackpool Gazette|access-date=12 July 2014|date=11 July 2014}}</ref> On 17 July, having already cancelled a pre-season trip to Spain to focus on signings, it was claimed that Riga's future was even more uncertain following reports of a dispute with the chairman over transfer policy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28358744|title=Jose Riga: Blackpool set to decide manager's future by Saturday|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 July 2014}}</ref> Two days later, Blackpool played a friendly away against Northern League Division One side Penrith, fielding five triallists in the starting line-up with two more on the substitutes bench and with six fit registered players, the rest of the match day squad was made up of youth-team players. Riga was given a standing ovation by the Blackpool fans. Then after the match it was reported that when the media requested to speak with Riga, he had told his staff and players not to give any interviews.<ref name=gazette6740436>{{cite web|last1=Watt|first1=Will|title=Riga's Bloomfield Road blackout|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/riga-s-bloomfield-road-blackout-1-6740436|access-date=24 July 2014|date=21 July 2014}}</ref>
Having won one of fifteen games in charge, Riga was sacked by Blackpool on 27 October 2014. He became the club's second-shortest-serving manager in their history, behind Michael Appleton.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29795449 | title=Jose Riga: Championship strugglers Blackpool sack manager | publisher=BBC Sport | date=27 October 2014 | access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref>
===Standard Liège=== On 2 February 2015, Riga returned to Standard Liège in Belgium, where he was re-appointed manager following Ivan Vukomanović's departure.<ref>{{cite news |first=Dimitri |last=Eeckhaut |title=Riga volgt Vukomanovic bij Standard, Legear officieel terug |url=http://www.demorgen.be/sport/riga-volgt-vukomanovic-bij-standard-legear-officieel-terug-a2203416/ |work=De Morgen |date=2 February 2015 |access-date=8 February 2015 |language=nl}}</ref> He took charge of his first game four days later, winning 3–0 against Mouscron.<ref>{{cite news |title=Le Standard de Riga enfonce le RMP et entre dans le Top 3 |url=http://www.rtbf.be/sport/football/belgique/jupilerproleague/detail_standard-mouscron-peruwelz-les-compos-probables-resume-direct-video-buts-streaming?id=8900196 |work=Radio Télévision Belge Francophone |date=6 February 2015 |access-date=7 February 2015 |language=fr}}</ref> Towards the end of the season, he announced he would not be prolonging his contract. Slavoljub Muslin was announced as his successor on 5 June.<ref>{{cite news |title=Muslin: "Standard zal offensief voetbal brengen" |trans-title=Muslin: "Standard will play attacking football" |url=http://sporza.be/permalink/1.2360129 |publisher=sporza.be |date=5 June 2015|language=nl}}</ref>
===Return to Charlton Athletic=== On 14 January 2016, Riga was appointed head coach of Charlton Athletic for the second time. His first win came away at Rotherham United in a 4-1 victory. Following the relegation he left the club and was replaced by Russell Slade.
===Cercle Brugge=== Riga was appointed head coach at Cercle Brugge in the Belgian First Division B on 1 November 2016 but was sacked in October 2017.
===URSL Visé=== On 14 October 2019, Riga was appointed sporting director of URSL Visé.<ref>[https://www.rtbf.be/sport/football/belgique/d3/detail_jose-riga-de-retour-a-vise-comme-manager?id=10341293 José Riga de retour à Visé comme manager], rtbf.be, 14 October 2019</ref>
===JS Kabylie=== On 22 June 2022, Riga was appointed head coach of JS Kabylie.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lescore.dz/2022/06/22/js-kabylie-le-belge-jose-riga-nouvel-entraineur-officiel/|title=JS Kabylie: le Belge José Riga nouvel entraîneur (officiel)|date=22 June 2022 }}</ref> On 6 September, he was sacked.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lescore.dz/2022/09/07/jsk-jose-riga-limoge-apres-3-journees-seulement/|title=JSK: José Riga limogé après 3 journées seulement|date=7 September 2022 }}</ref>
==Managerial statistics== {{BLP unreferenced section|date=September 2022}} {{Update|date=September 2022}} {{updated|7 May 2016}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |- !rowspan=2|Team !rowspan=2|Nat !rowspan=2|From !rowspan=2|To !colspan=5|Record |- !P!!W!!D!!L!!Win % |- |align=left|Mons |Belgium |align=left|6 June 2005 |align=left|28 January 2008 {{WDL|92|35|22|35}} |- |align=left|Standard Liège |Belgium |align=left|28 June 2011 |align=left|13 May 2012 {{WDL|46|23|14|9}} |- |align=left|Charlton Athletic |England |align=left|11 March 2014 |align=left|27 May 2014 {{WDL|16|7|3|6}} |- |align=left|Blackpool |England |align=left|11 June 2014 |align=left|27 October 2014 {{WDL|15|1|3|11}} |- |align=left|Standard Liège |Belgium |align=left|2 February 2015 |align=left|5 June 2015 {{WDL|15|7|2|6}} |- |align=left|Metz |France |align=left|June 2015 |align=left|December 2015 {{WDL|23|10|6|7}} |- |align=left|Charlton Athletic |England |align=left|January 2016 |align=left|7 May 2016 {{WDL|20|5|5|10}} |- !colspan=4|Total {{WDLtot|227|88|55|84}} |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Navboxes |title= José Riga managerial positions |list1= {{R.A.E.C. Mons managers}} {{Standard Liège managers}} {{Charlton Athletic F.C. managers}} {{Blackpool F.C. managers}} {{FC Metz managers}} {{Cercle Brugge K.S.V. managers}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Riga, Jose}} Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:Belgian people of Spanish descent Category:Sportspeople from Liège Category:Belgian men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:CS Visé players Category:Belgian football managers Category:Standard Liège managers Category:CS Visé managers Category:RAEC Mons (1910) managers Category:Charlton Athletic F.C. managers Category:Blackpool F.C. managers Category:FC Metz managers Category:Cercle Brugge KSV managers Category:English Football League managers Category:Belgian expatriate football managers Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Expatriate football managers in England Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in France Category:Expatriate football managers in France Category:20th-century Belgian sportsmen