The 46-year-old coach recently worked in Italy with Cesena, where he served as an assistant to former England international Ashley Cole. Riza described the experience as an opportunity that broadened his horizons and allowed him to experience a different style of football.

Working alongside Cole, the target at Cesena was to swiftly change the tactical approach and mentality of the squad. Riza noted that Italian football can often be defensively minded, relying on low blocks and counter-attacks, but they wanted to implement a more proactive style.

The coaching staff sought to implement a high-pressing philosophy that encouraged the team to control matches and provoke opponents. This marked a significant tactical shift for players who had been accustomed to a rigid five-three-two defensive system.

Cole ultimately decided to leave the Cesena project during the summer when it became apparent that the club ambitions did not match his own. Riza expressed belief that they would have achieved strong results had they been permitted to recruit their preferred players.

Riza remains supportive of his former colleague, praising Cole's diligence and strong work ethic as a coach. The pair have even discussed the possibility of continuing their coaching partnership in a future role.

Beyond his recent spell in Italy, Riza has accumulated a wealth of experience across various levels of the game as both a player and a manager. His managerial career includes a challenging stint in charge of Leyton Orient back in 2017.

That first major managerial opportunity arrived amid severe turbulence at the club, featuring multiple coaching changes, unpaid wages, and frustrated supporters. Despite the difficult circumstances, Riza successfully guided the team through the remainder of that campaign.

He subsequently transitioned into youth development at Watford, starting on a part-time basis before working his way up to become assistant coach for the first team. However, his departure from Vicarage Road arrived after five years when he was dismissed following a managerial reshuffle.

In the autumn of 2024, Riza stepped into the Championship with Cardiff City, initially taking charge on a caretaker basis following the dismissal of Erol Bulut. The team had endured a difficult start, picking up just one point from their opening six fixtures.

His immediate impact prompted a dramatic upturn in form, earning him two Manager of the Month nominations across a five-month period. Cardiff climbed away from their initial deficit under his guidance, though a difficult spring run ultimately led to his departure.

During his tenure in South Wales, Cardiff secured notable results, including a five-goal victory over Plymouth Argyle and draws against Coventry City. He also guided the team to a memorable derby victory over Swansea City during a deeply emotional personal week.

That emotional period coincided with the passing of his father, requiring Riza to balance family grief with demanding managerial duties. Despite the emotional toll, he secured a three-goal win against Swansea for the supporters before returning to work.

Following his exit, Cardiff ultimately suffered relegation to the lower tier, finishing at the bottom of the division. Riza acknowledged certain regrets from his time at the club, including an incident where he publicly criticized supporter reaction.

Reflecting on his coaching philosophy, Riza emphasizes tactical flexibility over rigid adherence to a single system. Having worked in multiple specialized coaching capacities, he believes modern football requires adaptability depending on match situations and opponents.

His formative years as a player included a period within the youth ranks at Arsenal, where he crossed paths with Ashley Cole during their teenage years. He also absorbed tactical details from legendary figures such as Arsene Wenger and Don Howe.

A significant portion of his playing career was spent abroad, including a five-year spell in Turkey with Trabzonspor. That chapter included playing European football in the UEFA Cup, highlighted by scoring a goal against APOEL.

However, his time in Turkey also brought severe career complications involving a five-month suspension issued by the Turkish Federation after a dispute over unpaid wages. This sparked a lengthy legal battle through CAS, FIFA, and the European Court of Human Rights.

Although he ultimately won the legal battle regarding the ruling, the protracted dispute drained financial resources and impacted his playing career. Riza considered walking away from the game entirely before his father encouraged him to persevere.

Drawing strength from those enduring hardships, Riza is now eager to secure his next permanent head coaching role. He maintains that his diverse experiences as a player and coach have prepared him well for the challenges ahead.