The Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates, have announced that the Spanish-born head coach, José Riveiro, has opted not to renew his contract and is set to leave the club at the end of the 2024/25 season.
The club issued a statement on Thursday stating that Riveiro’s contract with the club is due to expire at the end of this current campaign, and he has decided not to extend his stay at eS’godini sikaMabinzela.
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“Orlando Pirates Football Club can reveal that José Riveiro will be stepping down from his position as Head Coach at the end of the season”, said the club in a statement. “José Riveiro has informed management of his decision not to renew his contract beyond its current term.”
The club added that, in accordance with Riveiro’s wishes, the club will refrain from making detailed pronouncements at this time.
Through the club’s statement, the Bucs Chairman, Dr. Irvin Khoza, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Spaniard, saying the success that he brought to Pirates will forever be remembered and appreciated by the club.
“The achievements of the intervening years speak for themselves. The joy that José and his support staff have brought to this Club will never be forgotten”, said Dr Irvin Khoza in the club’s Statement.
“We appreciate the three years of service that José has given this institution and fully support his decision. Wherever his journey takes him, he must know that the Orlando Pirates family will always be behind him.”
Jose Riveiro At Pirates
Riveiro joined the Soweto powerhouse ahead of the 2022/23 season. Since then, he has won five trophies—three MTN8 titles in three consecutive seasons and two Nedbank Cup titles in two consecutive seasons.
Since his arrival at Pirates, Riveiro has undoubtedly brought back the glory to eS’godini sikaMabinzela. In his two seasons with the club, the 49-year-old Spaniard finished in second place in two consecutive seasons and qualified for the continental competitions, CAF Champions League.
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Currently, Pirates are chasing the title, sitting in second place with 43 points and four games in hand, behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who are on 58 points.
On Tuesday, Pirates secured an away goal advantage when they edged out the Algerian outfit, MC Alger, by 1-0 in a CAF Champions League first-leg quarter final encounter at Stade du 5 Juillet in Algeria.
Pirates have also qualified for the Nedbank Cup semifinals, where they will play Marumo Gallants.
Jose Riveiro’s Unpleasant Arrival at Pirates
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.
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.
A Huge Personal Sacrifice
Riveiro’s glamorous success at Pirates has come at the cost of immense personal sacrifice.
Reports emerged that he has been away from his family for more than two years. Riveiro’s colleagues, assistant coach Sergio Almenara and Michel Bellver, were also living away from their families when they joined Pirates, but both left earlier this season 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.
“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,” the statement reads. “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.”
