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.
Orlando Pirates made it clear that it was Riveiro’s decision not to renew his contract as it is due to expire at the end of the 2024-2025 Betway Premiership campaign, where they are involved in a two-horse race for the championship with Mamelodi Sundowns.
There was speculation about the coach’s future and Pirates said they made the announcement early to ensure there are no disruptions until the end of the season.
According to Orlando Pirates “in accordance with the wishes of the coach, they will not make pronouncements and will make tributes at an appropriate occasion.
“While we would have liked Jose to extend his stay with us, we fully respect his decision. We are grateful for everything he has done for the club,” Pirates chair Irvin Khoza said.
Jose-Riveiro- Photo credit Getty images
“The achievements of the intervening years speak for themselves. The joy that Jose and his support staff have brought to this club will never be forgotten.
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“The club’s immediate priority will be twofold. First, in keeping with his wishes, we will find the appropriate time to fully express our appreciation of Jose and his contribution to the club.
“Second, for the football department to begin the extensive exercise of finding a suitable replacement before the 2025-2026 season.
“We appreciate the three years of service José has given this institution and fully support his decision. Wherever his journey takes him, he must know the Orlando Pirates family will always be behind him.”
Riveiro has led the Pirates to five trophy victories, won cup champions during his two and two-thirds seasons since joining the club in July 2022. The 47-year-old Spaniard guided Bucs to secure five out of seven domestic cup titles, including the Nedbank Cups for both the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons, as well as a remarkable three consecutive MTN8 titles.
The only cup competitions that have eluded Pirates under Riveiro’s management are last season’s and this campaign’s Carling Knockout.
In the Premiership, Pirates were runners-up to seven-time successive champions Sundowns in the past two seasons, though by sizeable 16 and 23-point margins.
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This season it is a far closer race, with Bucs on 43 points from 19 games, with four matches in hand on leaders Sundowns (58 from 23).
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What makes Riveiro more marketable, though, is he has steered Pirates to the 2024-2025 Caf Champions League quarterfinals, unbeaten in the competition and having led Group C. They stand an excellent chance of reaching the semifinals as Bucs have a 1-0 lead from Tuesday’s away leg against MC Alger to take into the home leg at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.
