2021-22 CAF Confederation Cup runners-up Orlando Pirates moved on from their co-coach setup and confirmed who will be the new manager in a move that surprised onlookers. The announcement of Spanish manager José Riveiro was difficult to see coming but is an intriguing decision that may pay off dividends for the Happy People considering Riveiro’s success in Finnish football. Riveiro was previously head coach at FC Inter Turku where he led the club to runner-up finishes in Finland’s top tier Veikkausliiga for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Riveiro signed a three-year deal with Pirates and among his assistants will be Mandla Ncikazi, co-coach from the previous campaign. The 46-year-old manager expressed his excitement with the opportunity by stating “it is an honor for me and my colleagues to have the responsibility to coach such an institution and compete for the highest goals”. Despite reaching the CAF Confederation Cup final, Pirates struggled in domestic league play last season and are hoping Riveiro improves on the team’s disappointing sixth place finish in the 2021-22 DStv Premiership.
