The Spanish-born manager, Jose Riveiro, is slowly earning the respect of those who doubted him when he was appointed as the head coach of Orlando Pirates over several notable names in June of 2022.
When the Pirates appointed Riveiro to replace Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi as senior head coaches, the names of Benni McCarthy, Gavin Hunt, and Pitso Mosimane were reported to be among the names of coaches considered by the club.
Jose Riveiro the “Plumber”.
Upon his arrival, Riveiro was labelled by some as a “Plumber” and deemed not a winning coach, as he had never managed a team in top-flight football, let alone a big club like Pirates. The then 46-year-old (now 49) Spaniard was unfazed by the jibes.
“I have been hired by the Club. We are going to work to make history together and build a team we are all proud of. I don’t spend time thinking about what people say about me. My work must do the talking for me,” he declared at the time.
According to the online sports publication Goal, the term “plumber” refers to international coaches who come to Africa with little track record of success and frequently struggle on the continent.
Two years and three months later, the once-called “Plumber” coach has won five trophies—three MTN8 titles in three consecutive seasons and two Nedbank Cup titles in two consecutive seasons.
His name is now mentioned alongside the best coaches to have taken charge of the Buccaneers. According to the club, Riveiro possesses a 60% win ratio, equalling the legendary Mike Makaab and “His 58 wins are also second, only bettered by legendary Dutchman Ruud Krol with 65.”
In his writing for Goal, Michael Madyra asked, “Has Jose Riveiro buried the “Plumber” tag? 58 wins, 17 draws, and 20 defeats, as well as five trophies in his first two and a half seasons at Orlando Pirates? That’s massive, if you ask me.
A Huge Personal Sacrifice.
However, his record-breaking achievement at Pirates comes at the cost of immense personal sacrifice: being away from his family for more than two years. Riveiro’s colleagues, Sergio Almenara and Michel Bellver, were also living away from their families when they joined Pirates. However, they left on mutual terms, leaving their countryman soldiering on.
Following the MTN8 3-1 final victory against Stellenbosch at Moses Mabhida Stadium, the club issued a statement expressing gratitude and acknowledging Riveiro’s commitment to the team since his arrival.
“What many don’t know, for two long years, Riveiro has been separated from his wife and young daughter, enduring the isolation of distance while shouldering the weight of leading a football giant like Orlando Pirates,” the statement reads.
“The mental toll of working away from family, compounded by the unrelenting demands of top-level coaching, would have broken many. Yet Riveiro has persevered, driven by a profound sense of duty to the club and its supporters.
“In the face of adversity, Riveiro has remained the epitome of selflessness. His commitment to this institution and its success has never wavered, even at the expense of his own personal well-being.”
What’s next for Riveiro?
The Carling Knockout Cup, which is expected to kick off in the upcoming weekend, the newly established Betway Premiership, and the CAF Champions League are the next assignments for Riveiro.
After finishing in second place in the Premiership last season and returning to continental football, Riveiro’s side kicked off their 2024/25 season in both competitions on an upbeat note.
In their first 11 games of the season in all competitions, they have yet to lose, with 9 wins and 3 draws, scoring 22 goals and only conceding 4. In the Betway Premiership, they are in second place, tied on 9 points with log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
In the CAF Champions League, they are grouped in Group C alongside top African sides, including the mighty Egyptian side Al Ahly, CR Belouizdad, and Stade d’Abidjan.
It will surely be a challenging season for Riveiro and his side. It is worth noting that his team has been on the right track and appears prepared for any test.
Pirates will kick off their Carling Knockout campaign against newly promoted Magesi FC at Orlando Stadium on October 19, 2024, before returning to the premiership action against Gavin Hunt’s SuperSport on October 22.
The kick-off timings for the CAF Champions League are yet to be confirmed; however, their first encounter is scheduled for November 26, 2024, against Algerian side CR Belouizdad.
He is just getting started as he brought young blood and was not easy to let seniors go. So let’s give them space they are not horses. Obviously you have many chop shops and they are busy already