Coach Jose Riveiro: Why I am leaving Orlando Pirates

Jose Riveiro: Photo Credit: Orlando Pirates.

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has broken the silence to explain why he will not extend his three-year contract beyond this Betway Premiership season in South Africa.

In an interview with Panorama Football and shared on x.com by @Consol Kubayi, the Spaniard said he does not believe in spending more than three seasons in the same club as that retards personal growth and that of a team.

“I didn't think that as a coach you have to spend more than three years in the same place. For me, it is the maximum depending on the club philosophy and how you renovate the squad year after year and how ambitious is the club, too, on how to make every year different,” he said.

The MTN8-winning coach insisted that it was difficult for a coach to motivate players with the same playing philosophy beyond three years.

“Three years is the proper time to look to me for a different challenge, to the players’ group to have a new phase. The next winter, I was going to tell them the same song with different music,” he added.

“They need a different phase and different ideas. The fans also need something new and it is good. It is not good to feel comfortable at some point. Nobody is critiquing me. I am getting good results and I am not going far anymore.”

Riveiro did not disclose his next destination after Pirates. Over the years it has been reported that his family is in Spain and he misses home hence the departure. Commenting on his plans, the coach only emphasized that change helps players, coaches, and clubs improve.

He said: “You have to move the chair regularly. It is the way to improve a club. It is the way to improve as coaches. It is the way to improve for the players. If a player has the same coach for too long, performance will decrease slowly.”

Riveiro is now focusing on Pirates’ next league game against Polokwane City at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday before welcoming MC Alger in the CAF Champions League quarter-final, second leg at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.