Orlando Pirates have praised their coach Jose Riveiro for contributing to the club.
The 49-year-old coach was again victorious this past weekend as the Buccaneers defeated Stellenbosch 3-1 to claim the MTN8 title. Since his arrival, Pirates have won five trophies in a space of two years.
The club posted a statement on their website to thank the Spanish coach for his contribution.
“It’s not often that a new head coach steps into a football club and immediately makes the kind of impact that Jose Riveiro has at Orlando Pirates.
This past weekend, Riveiro led his team to MTN8 glory with a commanding 3-1 victory over Stellenbosch FC. The win secured the Buccaneers their third consecutive MTN8 title – a record-breaking feat never before achieved in the Premier Soccer League era,” the club said in a statement.
Riveiro, the once little-known Spaniard faced scepticism from parts of the football community when he joined the club two years ago. Critics questioned his so-called lack of experience, with some even resorting to derogatory labels, dismissing him as a “plumber.” But the then 46-year-old (now 49) took the higher road and focused on his work.
Orlando Pirates give Jose Riveiro his flowers
“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,” said Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro
So far, the Spanish coach has won three MTN8 titles, two Nedbank Cup trophies, and back-to-back second place finishes in the Betway Premiership.
Orlando Pirates revealed that Jose Riveiro has been separated from his family for two years.
“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 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,” the club added.
Now, with the FIFA break offering a temporary respite, Jose Riveiro finally has the chance to reconnect with his family, said Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers are in action again end of October.
Can Riveiro win the league title this season?
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