Omer Karime Ali Riza was born on 8 November 1979 and is a football coach and former player who most recently managed EFL Championship club Cardiff City.
18 Facts About Omer Riza
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Omer Riza played in the fourth tier of English football for Barnet, Cambridge United, Shrewsbury Town and Aldershot Town.
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Omer Riza held numerous roles in a five-year spell at Watford.
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Omer Riza said in 2018 that he believed he should have played more, due to his form for the under-19 and reserve teams; he said that although Nicolas Anelka, Ian Wright and Dennis Bergkamp were first-team forwards for Arsenal, players that he considered inferior to himself such as Kaba Diawara, Fabian Caballero and Wreh were getting more opportunities.
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Omer Riza went on loan to Barnet and Cambridge United, and signed a permanent deal with the latter in 2002.
6.
In January 2008, Omer Riza walked out of the club, claiming he had not been paid.
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In February 2009, Omer Riza returned to English football with a trial at League Two club Shrewsbury Town, and impressed manager Paul Simpson, but Omer Riza could not take part in any official matches due to the ban imposed upon him by the TFF.
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Omer Riza made his debut for Shrewsbury Town as a second-half substitute against Rotherham United the following day.
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On 22 January 2010, Omer Riza left Shrewsbury Town after struggling to break into the first team during the first half of the season, with player and club coming to an agreement regarding paying off the rest of his contract.
10.
In December 2017, Omer Riza came out of retirement, signing for Eastern Counties League Premier Division side Newmarket Town as a player.
11.
On 1 January 2022,42-year-old Omer Riza played for Hertford Town in the Southern Football League.
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Omer Riza scored 17 goals during that season, but damaged his cruciate ligament in one of his knees in a charity match for Arsenal XI in June 2014, sidelining him for 15 months.
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Omer Riza was sacked from his Cheshunt duties in September 2014.
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Omer Riza had a short spell as assistant manager for Heybridge Swifts, between December 2014 and February 2015.
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Omer Riza's contract expired on 30 June 2017 and was not extended.
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On 26 August 2021, Omer Riza was confirmed as an assistant coach for the England U17s, working with Tom Curtis and Paul Davis.
17.
In June 2023, Omer Riza was promoted to first-team coach at Watford under head coach Valerien Ismael.
18.
Omer Riza joined EFL Championship club Cardiff City in June 2024, as first team coach in Turkish manager Erol Bulut's backroom staff.