José Riveiro has informed management of his decision not to renew his contract beyond its current term. The Spanish mentor’s contract is due to expire at the end of this current campaign.

His professionalism and commitment to the Club’s best interests prompted a timely announcement, ensuring business as usual for the remainder of the season while simultaneously creating an opportunity for the Club to prepare for the future.

In accordance with the coach’s wishes, the Club will refrain from making detailed pronouncements at this time, reserving comprehensive tributes for a more appropriate occasion.

“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.” stated Chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza.

“The achievements of the intervening years speak for themselves. The joy that José and his support staff have brought to this Club will never be forgotten.

“The Club’s immediate priority will be two-fold. Firstly, in keeping with his wishes, we will find the appropriate time to fully express our appreciation of José and his contribution to the Club but secondly, for the football department to begin the extensive exercise of finding a suitable replacement ahead of the 2025/26 season.

“We appreciate the three years of service that José has given this institution and fully support his decision. Wherever his journey takes him, he must know that the Orlando Pirates family will always be behind him.”

Due to the club’s involvement in three crucial competitions, further news on this matter will be addressed at the end of the season. For the next two months, the Club appeals to the supporters to fully support the coach and his team.

Updates on any significant developments will be communicated in due course.

The youthful team, chosen by the fans in the second annual Carling Black Label Cup, was captained by Bucs goalkeeper Sipho Chaine who was joined by teammate Relebohile Mofokeng in the starting lineup. The Pirates complement in the eleven also consisted of current Academy players in Mbekezile Mbokazi and Jabulani Mokone, who shored up the defence.

Ex-teammates in the Bucs Reserves setup, Mofokeng and Mokone were both prominent in the opening exchanges. Both had a go at Elvia Chipezeze’s goal inside the first five minutes of the contest, with the later drawing a save from the Zimbabwean shot-stopper.

Having punched cracks into the defence, the floodgates soon opened as the All Stars raced to a three-goal lead in the first half. This was courtesy of a brace from Naledi Hlongwane, who netted a goal on either side of a strike from Samkelo Zwane.

Mofokeng had a chance to join in the party late in the first half when he darted across field from the edge of the box, but wasn’t able to direct his effort goalward.

Maswanganyi was one of the new faces brought in at the start of the first half, while Tshegofatso Mabasa and Bucs Reserves star Seth Green made their way onto the field midway through the second half. Both players had their bright moments towards the latter stages of the contest, but there were no goals forthcoming.

The game continued to open up as the final whistle approach, with Chaine’s goal proving impenetrable for the opposition. The match eventually finished with the All Stars three goals to the good, as they maintained a winning run in the fixture.

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.

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.

“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,” he declared at the time.

And talk it has. In just 830 days at the helm, Riveiro’s accomplishments have reverberated throughout South African football. Under his guidance, the Mighty Buccaneers have roared back into a competitive force.

Three MTN8 titles, two Nedbank Cup trophies, and back-to-back second place finishes in the Betway Premiership are a testament to his leadership.

The Numbers Game

To truly appreciate Riveiro’s performance over the last two and a half years, a look at the numbers is revealing:

Win Ratio:

Riveiro has secured 58 wins, 17 draws, and 20 losses in 95 matches, giving him a win ratio of 60%. This ranks him second (alongside Mike Makaab) only to Julio Leal, who achieved a 64% win ratio, albeit from just 28 matches.

1. Top 3 Coaches by Win Ratio:
2. Julio Leal: 64%
3. Jose Riveiro: 60% / Mike Makaab: 60%
4. Ted Dumitru: 54%

Total Wins:
With 58 wins, Riveiro ranks second in total victories, behind only Ruud Krol, who managed 65 wins in 125 matches between 2008 and 2011.

Top 3 Coaches by Total Wins:

1. Ruud Krol: 65
2. Jose Riveiro: 58
3. Mike Makaab: 41

Personal Sacrifice

Even more remarkable than the numbers are, the personal sacrifice Riveiro has made for the success of Orlando Pirates. For all the joy he has brought to the “Happy People” – as Pirates supporters are affectionately known, his achievements have come at a significant personal cost.

As Napoleon Hill once said, “Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice and is never the result of selfishness.” Riveiro’s journey exemplifies this truth.

In 2022, Riveiro arrived in South Africa with two trusted colleagues, Sergio Almenara and Michel Bellver, to work on the Pirates Project. However, both eventually left, unable to adapt to the challenges of living far from family. But Riveiro, ever the captain, remained steadfast, navigating these same difficulties while steering his team through the challenging football season.

The emotional strain was evident after the recent MTN8 victory against Stellenbosch FC. As the final whistle blew, cameras captured a poignant moment: Riveiro crouched down, tears streaming from his eyes. These were not just tears of joy but also a reflection of the immense personal sacrifices he has made, many of which remain hidden from public view.

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.

Now, with the FIFA break offering a temporary respite, Riveiro finally has the chance to reconnect with his family – a long-overdue reunion for a man who has given so much of himself for the greater good.

#AppreciationPost