Orlando Pirates coach Riveiro set to step down at end of season

Photo Credit: Orlando Pirates

South African giants Orlando Pirates released a statement on Thursday that revealed head coach José Riveiro will step down from his duties at the end of the current 2024-25 season.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Riveiro has informed Pirates that he will not renew his deal with the club. In a subsequent statement and article on the club's website, the 47-year-old emphasized that he remains focused on the next few months:

“The time will come for me to express myself on the decision I have made but now isn’t that time because we have a job to do. The season is far from over and we have a lot of work to do between now and the end of May.

“Obviously, in an ideal world, one would have wanted to hold on making any statements until the end of the season but it’s not possible. The club needs to plan for its future and it’s only fair that they are given time to do so.”

The club praised Riveiro for his professionalism and the advance notice of his decision. Pirates' website went as far to say that the Spaniard gave Bucs supporters "more than just victories; he gave them a reason to dream again."

Club chairman Irvin Khoza also acknowledged Riveiro's positive influence, stating “While we would have liked José to extend his stay with us, at the same time, we fully respect his decision. We are grateful for everything he has done for the Club.”

Riveiro arrived at Pirates as an unknown, a move that attracted a lot of criticism from South African followers of football. His time at the club began after spending seven years in Finland, mostly as an assistant coach, which followed an early career in his native Spain as a youth coach. Little was expected of Riveiro and many disregarded the hiring.

However the Spaniard now leaves after winning five trophies with the club, including two Nedbank Cups (2023, 2024) and all three MTN 8's he participated in (2022, 2023, 2024). It was always an almost impossible task to unseat Mamelodi Sundowns as champions of South Africa's top flight but Pirates are surely the "best of the rest" at this point with runner-up finishes the last two seasons and another second place finish looking likely at the end of Riveiro's term.

Until his departure, there is plenty to play for under Riveiro including the CAF Champions League where the Bucs are in a good position in the quarterfinals, the Nedbank Cup where Pirates are in the semifinals and also the league where a slim possibility still exists of catching leaders Sundowns.